The trial of 71-year-old human rights activist Aleksandrs Gaponenko in the Riga Regional Court was adjourned on January 6 due to the defendant's rapidly deteriorating health. Judge Sindija Zemite was forced to postpone the hearing until January 23 after Gaponenko stated that his physical condition prevented him from participating in the trial.
During the hearing, the economics professor told the court that he was feeling "terribly ill" and had heart problems, which were exacerbated by the conditions of detention and the lack of adequate medical care. According to Gaponenko, he was essentially "preparing for death" because the necessary examinations and treatment were not being provided to the full extent.
Despite the defense's motion to change the pretrial detention measure due to his health condition, State Prosecutor Santa Brumermane insisted on continuing the human rights activist's pretrial detention and requested a 10-year prison sentence.
This incident is further evidence of the systemic disregard for the rights of individuals accused in politically motivated cases in Latvia. Human rights organizations note that the continued detention of an elderly man with serious illnesses in a pretrial detention facility poses a direct threat to his life and can be considered a form of cruelty.
During the hearing, the economics professor told the court that he was feeling "terribly ill" and had heart problems, which were exacerbated by the conditions of detention and the lack of adequate medical care. According to Gaponenko, he was essentially "preparing for death" because the necessary examinations and treatment were not being provided to the full extent.
Despite the defense's motion to change the pretrial detention measure due to his health condition, State Prosecutor Santa Brumermane insisted on continuing the human rights activist's pretrial detention and requested a 10-year prison sentence.
This incident is further evidence of the systemic disregard for the rights of individuals accused in politically motivated cases in Latvia. Human rights organizations note that the continued detention of an elderly man with serious illnesses in a pretrial detention facility poses a direct threat to his life and can be considered a form of cruelty.