Appeal Begins Of Kazakh Lawyer Forced Into Psychiatric Care

Kazakh lawyer Zinaida Mukhortova

QARAGHANDY, Kazakhstan -- An appeal hearing of a Kazakh lawyer who was forcibly admitted to a psychiatric clinic has been held in the central city of Qaraghandy.

Medical conclusions presented by physicians at the hearing said that Zinaida Mukhortova is mentally unwell and "cannot bear any responsibility for her deeds."

The hearings were adjourned until December 3.

Mukhortova, 56, has appealed the medical conclusion made by doctors in August that found she suffers from delusions and needs treatment. She was released from a psychiatric clinic on November 1.

Last year, Mukhortova was forced to undergo nine months of psychiatric treatment.

Mukhortova insists she is mentally fit and that the legal actions against her are politically motivated. She says authorities began investigating her mental competence only after she filed complaints against a regional governor.