Sadler's health deteriorates

Sadler's health deteriorates

JAKARTA: An American nurse detained in Aceh since she and a
British woman were charged Sept. 10 with contacting a rebel
movement said Saturday her health was deteriorating due to her
HIV-related condition.

Joy Lee Sadler, 57, of Waterloo, Iowa, contacted The
Associated Press from Banda Aceh, where she and British academic
Lesley McCulloch, 42, are being held on charges of violating
tourist visas by contacting rebels of the Free Aceh Movement. The
offense carries a maximum sentence of five years.

"I am very sick but I won't leave without Lesley," said
Sadler. "I did not want to disclose my condition but I don't know
how much longer I can hold on."

Sadler said she was suffering from weight loss, general
weakness and said her injuries from ill-treatment by authorities
had not healed. She said soldiers repeatedly punched her in the
jaw and stomach as she tried to help McCulloch during their
arrest.

She also said she suffered severe chest pains a week ago, was
diagnosed with angina and is being treated with nitroglycerin.
Acehnese police could not immediately be contacted. --AP