Harvey Weinstein in court: Lawyers request accommodation to the clinic

A newly rolled -up process against the former filmmogul Harvey Weinstein (73) started on April 15 in New York City. The defenders of the fallen Hollywood producer have now made an urgent application to move the 73-year-old from Rikers Island’s detention center to the Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, where he has been treated several times. They justify their demand with the “catastrophic conditions of detention”, under which the Weinstein, who suffers from cancer, must currently live.

“Harvey Weinstein suffers from cancer and other serious health problems, but is continuously treated incorrectly,” said his lawyer Imran H. Ansari in a statement that is among other things “Variety”. According to the lawyer, his client receives medication incorrectly or not at all administered to suffer from serious infections, unhealthy weight gain and must persevere in freezing temperatures without being provided with clean clothing. “We have already intervened several times with the lawyers of the responsible authorities, but we have not received any response,” Ansari continued.

According to its defenders, the current situation could have serious consequences for Weinstein. “This false treatment is significantly weakened. Ansari has now submitted an urgent application so that Weinstein can be accommodated for the duration of the process in the Bellevue Hospital.

In addition to the fight for relocation to the hospital, Weinstein also filed a lawsuit against the city of New York and the responsible authorities. “He suffered significantly from the catastrophic conditions. The system has failed to provide him with the most basic medical care and even refused the most elementary decent treatment,” emphasized Ansari.

Cancer was diagnosed at Weinstein in 2024. In addition to this disease, he suffers from diabetes, coronary heart disease and sleep apnea. In September he had to put up with emergency operation.

The jury selection for Weinstein’s resumption procedure in New York started on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday morning. The judge expects the trial against Weinstein to last by the end of May or early June.

Weinstein’s case had triggered the worldwide #Metoo debate. More than 80 women accused him of sexual attacks. He was initially convicted of sex crimes in New York and California. However, his conviction for rape from 2020 and a 23-year sentence had been lifted due to proceedings. Since he was sentenced to a further 16 years in prison in a separate procedure in Los Angeles in 2023, he continues to sit in prison despite the resumption procedure. Weinstein denies the offenses.