Harvey Weinstein hospitalized: spokesman accuses prison island of mistreatment
New York (USA) - The numerous allegations against him sparked the MeToo movement in 2017. Now Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein (72) has been transferred from prison back to hospital.
As People reports, the 72-year-old was transferred back to hospital due to worrying blood values.
Weinstein is now to remain in Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan until his condition stabilizes again.
Weinstein's lawyer Imran Ansari made serious accusations against the staff at New York's Rikers Island prison. The 72-year-old was not receiving adequate medical treatment there due to "inhumane conditions", Ansari said.
In October, it became public that Weinstein was suffering from cancer. His health had deteriorated rapidly due to chronic myeloid leukemia.
According to New York City law, Rikers Island is to be closed by 2027. Only recently, a judge placed the problematic prison island under federal administration due to the "deplorable conditions".
Harvey Weinstein spokesman speaks of "cruel and unusual punishment"
"Mr. Weinstein, who suffers from a number of medical conditions, including leukemia, was deprived of the medical care that someone in his medical condition deserves, inmate or not," Weinstein spokesman Juda Engelmayer told People.
"In many ways, this mistreatment constitutes cruel and unusual punishment," Engelmayer said.
Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison in 2020 in a historic trial for sexual offenses. More than 80 women had accused the powerful film producer of sexual assault, which was a major catalyst for the global MeToo movement.
However, the verdict was overturned in April 2024 and the trial was reopened. At the same time, however, Weinstein was convicted of similar offenses in Los Angeles, which is why he is still in prison.
Weinstein's state of health had already caused discussion at several court hearings - partly because the 72-year-old was in a wheelchair at the hearings or was sometimes unable to appear at all.