Jailed Russian Pilot Yaroshenko Denied Medical Care by US Authorities

Despite complaining of heart pain and dizziness this year, the Russian pilot is still barred from medical help, human rights ombudsman Dolgov points out. Konstantin Yaroshenko is serving a 20-year prison sentence for alleged ties with drug smugglers.

MOSCOW, December 3 (Sputnik) — US authorities remain indifferent to the medical care needs of jailed Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for allegedly conspiring with drug smugglers, Russian Foreign Ministry's human rights ombudsman Konstantin Dolgov said Wednesday.

The senior Russian official said Yaroshenko had been denied "comprehensive medical care", adding there were "serious problems" with the conditions of his detention. Dolgov also vowed to seek the man's release with Washington.

The 46-year-old was detained in Liberia by US agents in 2010 as a result of an anti-drug sting operation. The Russian denied the charges of colluding to smuggle cocaine into the United States, but was convicted and sent to New Jersey's Fort Dix in April 2011.

In February 2014, Yaroshenko complained of severe heart pain, dizziness and nausea, fearing they were symptoms of a looming heart attack.