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