Imprisoned American tries to kill himself
Source: Agencies |
July 10, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
North Korea said yesterday an American imprisoned for illegally entering the country has tried to kill himself.
Aijalon Mahli Gomes, from Boston, attempted to commit suicide and was being treated at a hospital, North Korean's official Korean Central News Agency reported, citing information from "a relevant" government entity.
KCNA said the attempt was "driven by his strong guilty conscience" and despair that the United States government has not tried to gain his freedom.
The brief dispatch also said the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang was aware of his condition. The US and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations, and Sweden handles US interests in the country.
Gomes was sentenced in April to eight years of hard labor and fined US$700,000 for entering the country illegally and for an unspecified "hostile act."
The reported suicide attempt came weeks after North Korea threatened to increase punishment for Gomes amid tensions over the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship.
Aijalon Mahli Gomes, from Boston, attempted to commit suicide and was being treated at a hospital, North Korean's official Korean Central News Agency reported, citing information from "a relevant" government entity.
KCNA said the attempt was "driven by his strong guilty conscience" and despair that the United States government has not tried to gain his freedom.
The brief dispatch also said the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang was aware of his condition. The US and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations, and Sweden handles US interests in the country.
Gomes was sentenced in April to eight years of hard labor and fined US$700,000 for entering the country illegally and for an unspecified "hostile act."
The reported suicide attempt came weeks after North Korea threatened to increase punishment for Gomes amid tensions over the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship.
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