U.S. "disturbed" by aid worker's arrest in Nigeria

ABUJA (Reuters) - The United States is disturbed by the September 26 arrest in Nigeria of an American aid worker accused of helping two Germans film and photograph oil facilities in the Niger Delta, the U.S. embassy in Nigeria said on Saturday.

Judith Asuni, 60, was charged this week in a federal high court with breaching the Official Secrets Act for helping the German film makers and advising them to lie to the Nigerian embassy in Germany to get visas. She pleaded not guilty.

"We are deeply concerned by her continued detention without bail," the embassy said in a statement.

"We have made clear to the government of Nigeria our continuing interest in her circumstances, our concern over her treatment and our expectation that she be treated in accordance with Nigerian law."

Asuni is being detained by the State Security Services (SSS), a secret police force.

She told Reuters on her way out of court on Friday that she had been held in solitary confinement for eight days. She also said she had been denied medical treatment for 15 hours after suffering a severe accidental electric shock.

Her lawyer said he had not been given access to her.

SSS officials could not be reached for comment.

The two Germans are facing five criminal charges for filming and photographing at "protected places" in the Niger Delta and making false declarations to get visas. They pleaded not guilty.