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Home - US Embassy Minsk, Belarus Embassy NewsU.S. Citizen ServicesVisas to the U.S.U.S. Policy & IssuesResources- Embassy Highlights Belarus: Access to Imprisoned U.S. Citizen Statement by State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey Washington, DC April 14, 2008 The United States is concerned about the welfare of American citizen Emanuel Zeltser, imprisoned in Belarus. Mr. Zeltser suffers from serious pre-existing health conditions and requires daily medications. Despite repeated requests for consular access to Mr. Zeltser, we have been permitted only one visit on March 27. The Government of Belarus failed to provide timely notification of his arrest, information about his medical condition, and did not inform the U.S. Embassy of his recent transfer to a state psychiatric hospital. Consular access in Belarus has long been a concern for the United States. We urge the Government of Belarus to comply with their international legal obligations and provide immediate and regular consular access to Emanuel Zeltser. Consular Services Notice April 3, 2008 The Government of Belarus requested on March 31 that the United States again reduce the size of our Embassy in Minsk. As you are aware, only last week, our Embassy reduced the number of American staff by half. We consider these demands by the Belarusian Government to be unwarranted and unjustified. At this time, the Consular Section is only able to provide American citizen services by appointment only. To make an appointment, please contact the Consular Section (see contact information below). Although we resumed visa processing this week, we have again found it necessary to temporarily suspend the acceptance of most visa applications. Visit the Embassy s website at http://minsk.usembassy.gov for the latest updates. (more) Belarus: Crackdown on Media and Demonstrators Statement by State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack Washington, DC ...