Russia is accusing the United States of mistreating convicted drug smuggler Konstantin Yaroshenko by not giving him needed medical assistance.
Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry's commissioner for human rights, told TASS in an interview that Yaroshenko "in recent years has experienced growing health problems without getting proper medical support from the U.S. authorities."
"We regard that as a crude violation of his rights. We are not going to put up with this and we will keep pressing for his right to proper medical assistance," Dolgov said.
Dolgov told TASS that Russia lodged a complaint about Yaroshenko's health needs, which include a heart condition, with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on November 12, and has received no response.
Yaroshenko, a former Russian pilot, was jailed in Fort Dix, New Jersey after being convicted in 2011.
Alexei Tarasov, Yaroshenko's lawyer, said Yaroshenko recently wrote a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross asking for help in getting a visit by an independent specialist or Russian doctor. Tarasov said Yaroshenko is running out of the medication he needs to treat chronic illnesses and pain.
