Hearing Resumes For Kazakh Lawyer Forced Into Psychiatric Hospital

Zinaida Mukhortova

BALKHASH, Kazakhstan -- Hearings have resumed into whether a Kazakh lawyer was legally admitted into a psychiatric hospital.

Zinaida Mukhortova's hearing in the city of Balkhash started on August 16 but was postponed until August 19 because her lawyer could not attend the session.

Mukhortova, who spent nine months in the psychiatric clinic last year, says she is mentally healthy and that the actions against her are politically motivated.

She says authorities took action against her after she filed complaints against a regional governor.

Mukhortova's latest forced psychiatric hospitalization began August 9.

Doctors have said she suffers from delusions.

The clinic's senior physician told RFE/RL last week that Mukhortova was forced into treatment after she ignored a court order.

Human Rights Watch issued a statement on August 16 demanding Mukhortova's release from the clinic.