A new hearing in the case of Vlad Filat was interrupted. The ex-Premier, who has been on hunger strike for 17 days, complained about weakness and the defense asked that this should be examined by a doctor. The judge adjourned the hearing until June 22, IPN reports.

State prosecutor Adriana Betisor stated that the defendant asked to be seen by a doctor, but, given that he suffered from weakness, an ambulance was called. “The defense asked that the hearing should be put off so as to perform medical examinations. There is no medical certificate showing that the defendant is in a serious state,” she said.

Vlad Filat’s lawyer Igor Popa said the hearings are held in an unjustified hurry, one after another, even if his client is in a bad state of health and cannot speak before the court. The detention conditions became very harsh. During 20 days Vlad Filat hasn’t been allowed to speak on the phone, to see his parents or to be examined by a specialist doctor from outside the penitentiary system. According to the lawyer, these actions are aimed at destroying Filat morally.

In the hearing, the defense asked that Vlad Filat should be seen by a cardiologist. “He lost consciousness in the judge’s anteroom. His state does not allow him to sit in a courtroom,” said the lawyer, noting that Vlad Filat will yet be on hunger strike, until he is heard and a fair trial is ensured for him. Igor Popa said the politician was taken back to the penitentiary, where he does not enjoy appropriate medical care.

Vlad Filat was arrested last October on charges of influence peddling and passive corruption. He pleads not guilty.