International Law
Belarus Frees Ailing N.Y. Lawyer Held in Prison Hospital
Posted Jul 1, 2009, 06:14 am CST
By Molly McDonough
The president of Belarus has pardoned Emmanuel Zeltser, a New York lawyer who was imprisoned last year after closed-door proceedings on charges of using forged documents and attempted industrial espionage.
Zeltser's supporters have long claimed the charges against the 55-year-old were politically motivated.
President Alexander Lukashenko signed the pardon decree, the Associated Press reports.
Reuters reports that witnesses saw Zeltser walk free from the prison on Tuesday.
Improving ties with Washington and the Obama administration was one reason cited for Zeltser's release.