Zarina needs psychiatric help: Lawyers

Zarina needs psychiatric help: Lawyers

JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers of Zarina are still waiting for approval
from the city's High Court to allow them to temporarily treat
their depressed client at a proper psychiatric facility outside
Pondok Bambu Women's Penitentiary.

The 25-year-old female prisoner has suffered serious emotional
depression since the West Jakarta District Court sentenced her to
four years' imprisonment for storing 29,677 Ecstasy pills,
lawyers Amir Syamsuddin and Henry Yosodiningrat told The Jakarta
Post yesterday.

"Due to her poor mental health, she always tries to commit
suicide, throws and breaks anything around her and refuses to
speak to anybody, including us and her relatives," said Amir.

According to Amir, Zarina -- an ex-television actress and
former member of the national badminton team -- once had to be
tied up because of her unpredictable behavior.

"She has changed so much," said Amir, who has accompanied
Zarina since she was arrested by Jakarta Police in the United
States last year after escaping Tangerang Police custody.

Amir said written permission from the High Court was badly
needed in order to save his client, who is now living in a dark
prison room at Pondok Bambu.

"Every time staff members put in a new lightbulb, Zarina
always breaks it," he said.

The need to temporarily remove Zarina was initially proposed
by the head of the penitentiary, Amir said.

"He feared something would happen to her if action wasn't
immediately taken," said the senior lawyer.

Record

A medical report recently made by a psychiatrist also found
Zarina had strong suicidal tendencies, he said.

Seconds after the verdict on June 5, Zarina fell unconscious.
A day later she was rushed to Kramatdjati Police Hospital because
of her deteriorated psychological condition.

According to Zarina's other lawyer, Henry, the request was
sent to the High Court on July 11.

"I was the one who sent the letter along with a recommendation
from psychiatrist Dr. Michael Barja," Henry said.

The letter asking the authorities to let them treat Zarina at
an appropriate psychiatric hospital in Jakarta was made after
their client's condition did not improve after Dr. Michael's
original diagnosis, he said.

However, Henry said, "there's been no reply from the High
Court, so far."

In his recommendation, Dr. Michael said Zarina should be
admitted to a psychiatric hospital after an evaluation he made on
July 5.

"Dr. Michael said Zarina suffers from severe depression,
paranoia, and anxiety and that she needs psychopharmacological
therapy," he said.

Henry said he was not sure about when or where Zarina would
go, but he said one of the best hospitals was Dharma Sakti
Hospital in Central Jakarta. (12/bsr)