Minister says her husband returned to prison after treatment for a perforated colon and describes a request for home detention that was denied.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten has given a personal account of former minister Theo Heyliger’s recent hospitalization, saying he was treated for a perforated colon and returned to prison despite her concerns about his recovery and diet.
Asked about her husband during an interview on Live with Lady Grace in the Breakfast Lounge, she said a CT scan followed complaints of abdominal pain and that doctors treated him with antibiotics. She identified diverticulitis as the condition involved. Her description of the diagnosis and treatment was given as his spouse; the interview did not include a medical statement from his treating team.
Heyliger-Marten also criticized a change in his prison accommodation earlier this year. She said he had previously shared a cell with fewer people and was later moved to more crowded quarters in the area she described as the women’s ward. She believes the move added to his stress. Her account did not establish a medical finding that prison conditions caused his illness, and prison authorities’ reasons for the move were not provided in the interview.
The minister said Heyliger had requested permission in July to serve the remaining months before his regular release date at home under electronic monitoring. She said that request was denied. After his hospital stay, she wanted him home, but said he chose to return to prison rather than appear to seek special treatment.
She also spoke about social-media material that appeared after news of his illness. Heyliger-Marten characterized it as political and suggested it came from within political circles, but declined to identify anyone or present evidence in the interview establishing its source.
According to the minister, January is Heyliger’s regular release period, while a separate process concerning possible earlier release has included interviews with him and his family. She said they had not received a confirmed release date.
Asked whether Theo Heyliger would return to politics, she said the decision would be his. His first priority after release, she said, would be time to heal with his family.