Tokyo - Verdict from Japan: NOT Guilty |
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Last updated on: August 29, 2011 01:46 AM
Tokyo Japan - VIN News has confirmed reports emerging from the Chiba district court that Yoel Zev Goldstein, one of the three Israeli bochurim who has been imprisoned in Japan for unintentionally transporting drugs into the country, has been found not guilty by a Japanese court of law.
According to Rabbi Ahron Nezri and Meilech Bindinger, who have both dedicated endless hours to this case, it is not uncommon for Japanese prosecutors to appeal a not-guilty verdict at the high court, the public is requested to daven for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava to come home quickly and for the verdict not to be appealed. The prosecutor has fourteen days to lodge an appeal, should he choose to do so.
Despite being found innocent, Goldstein was taken in to custody by immigration officers after the verdict was read for having overstayed the 90 day visa he was given when he landed in Japan in April 2008. His lawyers are in the process of preparing the necessary paperwork which will explain the reason for overstaying his visa and they are hoping to arrange a temporary visa, allowing him to leave the country as quickly as possible and minimize the possibility of the not guilty verdict being appealed.
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Read Comments (46) — Post Yours »
1
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:04 AM buff-hpo Says:Report as Inappropriate
Baruch Hashem I'm so happy for him
2
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:04 AM bucherel Says:Report as Inappropriate
Wow! B''H! After such a hard day finally we hear some good news!!! Should this good besira bring many more besires toivas!!!!!
3
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:08 AM avigreen Says:Report as Inappropriate
Hodi Lashem Ki Tov! Never give up and never loose faith! Lets use this as an example that when Ke'lal Yisroel comes together we got the power to move walls!
5
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:11 AM williamsburg Says:Report as Inappropriate
Wow BH
6
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:12 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Thank you to the fair Japanese Court system for their verdict.
7
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:15 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Thank you Hashem. From now on yungerleit need to stay out of Japan and other countries where someone wants them to deilver a suitcase.
8
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:20 AM Yoideh hakol Says:Report as Inappropriate
Finally some good news for a change!
9
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:25 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Hashem rules his world the oldest of all three the only one to be found not guilty
10
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:30 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
The verdict came from our ultimate judge not from the japanese court system
11
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:30 AM Funcused Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why do you think the 'state' would appeal the verdict?
Besides, haven't we been davening for an acquittal?
12
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:34 AM villyamsburger Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is leider mixed news. Its good for 1 thing but this can be the sad beginning of ego prosecuters as the hamodia wrote this week. Let's hope he gets out of there asap
Hashem have rachmunes on him and all of klal yisroel
13
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:59 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Thank you Hashem. From now on yungerleit need to stay out of Japan and other countries where someone wants them to deilver a suitcase. ”
What a naresh comment. Why should any intelligent yungerliet stop traveling to Japan or anywhere. From now on, yungerliet should simply use common sense and not take suitcases from a stranger.
14
Aug 29, 2011 at 02:07 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Thank G-d. What about the other boy.
15
Aug 29, 2011 at 04:52 AM bpmommy Says:Report as Inappropriate
after such a tragic summer we finally get to hear some great news. hashem should help that they shouldnt appeal the decision and one great thing should bring many more.
16
Aug 29, 2011 at 04:56 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Japan sounds some what of Sodom. They arrested him for over staying his 90 visa; but they prevented him from leaving. Sick country
17
Aug 29, 2011 at 06:11 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Bh now let's daven they both get home soon.
18
Aug 29, 2011 at 07:05 AM eighthcomment Says:Report as Inappropriate
Baruch Hashem! This is great news! Hashem please only good news from now on! Bring Moshiach pls
19
Aug 29, 2011 at 07:49 AM Normal Says:Report as Inappropriate
Leiby taught us to be careful and these guys taught us not to take things overseas for people.
20
Aug 29, 2011 at 08:20 AM Granny Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Japan sounds some what of Sodom. They arrested him for over staying his 90 visa; but they prevented him from leaving. Sick country ”
Why give visas at all if you think they should be merely be a suggestion for how long to staty, and if you overstay they send you home? And if you're found after that, even if you've committed a crime the punishment should be that they send you home? You think it's like hanging around too long when you're a guest at a Shabbos lunch and the hosts want to take a nap?
But that's not even the situation here. They prevented him from leaving because he brought drugs into the country (inadvertant or not) and they were holding him for a trial. B"H he was found innocent, but to say that the Japan is a "sick" country is incorrect. It is a democracy with laws reguarding visitors and they acted within those laws.
21
Aug 29, 2011 at 08:32 AM shredready Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Leiby taught us to be careful and these guys taught us not to take things overseas for people. ”
wrong
if you know the story it was not a simple story of a person going to japan and someone just happen to ask them to take a suitcase
they went to japan all expense paid by a chusid who told them you are smuggling in antiques that is why I am paying you
lets not condemn every person or every yid who ask a favor to take something to some one most are simply honest requests
again in this case they knew they where smuggling
22
Aug 29, 2011 at 08:41 AM shredready Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why give visas at all if you think they should be merely be a suggestion for how long to staty, and if you overstay they send you home? And if you're found after that, even if you've committed a crime the punishment should be that they send you home? You think it's like hanging around too long when you're a guest at a Shabbos lunch and the hosts want to take a nap?
But that's not even the situation here. They prevented him from leaving because he brought drugs into the country (inadvertant or not) and they were holding him for a trial. B"H he was found innocent, but to say that the Japan is a "sick" country is incorrect. It is a democracy with laws reguarding visitors and they acted within those laws. ”
wrong
no guilty of KNOWINGLY smuggling drugs
but he did know he was smuggling
lets not make it that this was 3 little Innocent boys who just where doing another yid a favor
they where on a mission to smuggle antiques
let not make japan as the bad guy here the bad guy was the person who gave them the drugs, yet there seems no anger at him, why?
23
Aug 29, 2011 at 08:43 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ wrong
if you know the story it was not a simple story of a person going to japan and someone just happen to ask them to take a suitcase
they went to japan all expense paid by a chusid who told them you are smuggling in antiques that is why I am paying you
lets not condemn every person or every yid who ask a favor to take something to some one most are simply honest requests
again in this case they knew they where smuggling ”
Why don't you be quiet and leave it to the professionals. The judge found him NOT guilty. Apparently it bothers you. That is part of your machlah. Perhaps you should seek counseling.
24
Aug 29, 2011 at 08:50 AM shaya1011 Says:Report as Inappropriate
great news from a sick country
25
Aug 29, 2011 at 08:55 AM beReal Says:Report as Inappropriate
B"H the Judge accepted the Lie Detector Test, al pi atzas the Munkatcher Rabbe Shlita, and found him not Guilty
26
Aug 29, 2011 at 09:05 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why give visas at all if you think they should be merely be a suggestion for how long to staty, and if you overstay they send you home? And if you're found after that, even if you've committed a crime the punishment should be that they send you home? You think it's like hanging around too long when you're a guest at a Shabbos lunch and the hosts want to take a nap?
But that's not even the situation here. They prevented him from leaving because he brought drugs into the country (inadvertant or not) and they were holding him for a trial. B"H he was found innocent, but to say that the Japan is a "sick" country is incorrect. It is a democracy with laws reguarding visitors and they acted within those laws. ”
Brilliant remark.
He did not over stay his visa. He wanted to leave and had a ticket to leave. He was detained, and according to the Judge, incorrectly. To hold because he did not leave because he was not let to leave is midas sodom. Sodom also had laws. It is precisely because they had such laws that they are abhorrent
27
Aug 29, 2011 at 09:26 AM Michel Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Brilliant remark.
He did not over stay his visa. He wanted to leave and had a ticket to leave. He was detained, and according to the Judge, incorrectly. To hold because he did not leave because he was not let to leave is midas sodom. Sodom also had laws. It is precisely because they had such laws that they are abhorrent ”
Right on, you said it well. Its a Catch 22. Why didnt they automatically extend his visa since he was a forced "guest" of the State?, or in accordance with their own laws, kick him out and try him in absentia because he had no visa? He couldnt ask for an extension of his visa because he was being tried and now that he's foundnot guilty, they put him in jail for no visa?? Crooked and Midos Sdom! They will surely be punished for this.
28
Aug 29, 2011 at 09:27 AM shredready Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why don't you be quiet and leave it to the professionals. The judge found him NOT guilty. Apparently it bothers you. That is part of your machlah. Perhaps you should seek counseling. ”
he was found NOT GUILTY of knowingly smuggling drugs he ADMITTED to smuggling
it bother me when people lie to make it seem that a country is horrible just because they imprisoned a yid
get over it nobody cares that you and others think that every yid should get off for any crime they commit
and yes some yiddin do commit crimes
are you mad at the chusid who gave them the drugs or does he also get a pas because he looks frum
29
Aug 29, 2011 at 10:02 AM CHAIM36 Says:Report as Inappropriate
The message should be loud and clear. Do NOT take any packages across ANY border. It is hard to believe that they had no knowledge as to what they were carrying.
30
Aug 29, 2011 at 10:06 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
HODU LASHEM KITOV KI LEOLAM CHASDO!!!! ONLY GOOD NEWS!
31
Aug 29, 2011 at 10:23 AM Paulie123 Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ wrong
no guilty of KNOWINGLY smuggling drugs
but he did know he was smuggling
lets not make it that this was 3 little Innocent boys who just where doing another yid a favor
they where on a mission to smuggle antiques
let not make japan as the bad guy here the bad guy was the person who gave them the drugs, yet there seems no anger at him, why? ”
Wrong
This creep Benzion Miller was excommunictaed in Benei Brak. He has been condemened in every circle and in extensive newspapers as well. Stop being a self hating Jew and trying to only find fault with the Orthodox and making Japans justice system high and holy. Get off your rear end and do something constructive in your miserable life
32
Aug 29, 2011 at 10:41 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ he was found NOT GUILTY of knowingly smuggling drugs he ADMITTED to smuggling
it bother me when people lie to make it seem that a country is horrible just because they imprisoned a yid
get over it nobody cares that you and others think that every yid should get off for any crime they commit
and yes some yiddin do commit crimes
are you mad at the chusid who gave them the drugs or does he also get a pas because he looks frum ”
Why do you insist on commenting when all it shows what a fool you are? Are you arguing with the Judge who heard the evidence and found him not guilty? because, once agian you are wrong.
You are fond of telling people that they should heed professionals. Well you are the consumate hypocrite. because you comment all the time when it is obvious from all your post that you are oblivious to facts, and reality for that matter.
I am sure that you are proud of your comments. Know this, they proclaim your stupidity to the world.
You have accomplished much with your comments, you have made clear to all that you are a stupid hypocrite. Put that on the certificate on your wall. Next to your comments where you say that you undertstand and appreciate the Nazis. Eckeldicke being that you are.
33
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:10 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Right on, you said it well. Its a Catch 22. Why didnt they automatically extend his visa since he was a forced "guest" of the State?, or in accordance with their own laws, kick him out and try him in absentia because he had no visa? He couldnt ask for an extension of his visa because he was being tried and now that he's foundnot guilty, they put him in jail for no visa?? Crooked and Midos Sdom! They will surely be punished for this. ”
Just the typical conflicting legal bureaucracy that exists everywhere. Japan has strict laws and these hardly innocent boys knew they were at least breaking customs laws. Time served is enough of a punishment, but enough attacking a country that has helped Jews in the past.
34
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:10 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Will he and the other bochurim be punished when they return to EY for attempted drug-smuggling or violating Israeli law of any sort (I know stupidity is not a crime but were there any other violations from their willingly accepting the drugs to be taken out of the country even though they claim they didn't know any better).
35
Aug 29, 2011 at 11:26 AM The_Beadle Says:Report as Inappropriate
I don't understand why this is so complicated for some to understand.
He did not knowingly smuggling drugs. He did, on the other admit to believing he was smuggling antiques.
He was found not guilty for the crime for which he was tried ie the drugs bit. This does not make him some sort of tzadik. He still thought he was above the law and did in fact break the law and cause a chilul Hashem.
Don't attempt to break the law and then cry when you get caught.
36
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:14 PM Phineas Says:Report as Inappropriate
It's a glitch in their system. His attorneys will file papers stating his reason for overstating his visa and the immigration charge will be dropped. It's just paperwork. The immigration authorities and law enforcement are, like in the U.S., separate departments.
37
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:16 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why do you insist on commenting when all it shows what a fool you are? Are you arguing with the Judge who heard the evidence and found him not guilty? because, once agian you are wrong.
You are fond of telling people that they should heed professionals. Well you are the consumate hypocrite. because you comment all the time when it is obvious from all your post that you are oblivious to facts, and reality for that matter.
I am sure that you are proud of your comments. Know this, they proclaim your stupidity to the world.
You have accomplished much with your comments, you have made clear to all that you are a stupid hypocrite. Put that on the certificate on your wall. Next to your comments where you say that you undertstand and appreciate the Nazis. Eckeldicke being that you are. ”
No. 28 is correct. He did admit he smuggled the drugs but claimed he didn't know what he was doing was illegal (since he thought they were antiques that he accepted as a favor for a total stranger). And yes, there is a strange pattern here of screaming anti-semitism every time a yid is arrested overseas for some crime (which in many cases they are guilty of). You have a really strange habit of excusing or rationalizing law-breaking by yidden and then blaming the messenger.
38
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:31 PM Chaim_Ben-Yehuda Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why don't you be quiet and leave it to the professionals. The judge found him NOT guilty. Apparently it bothers you. That is part of your machlah. Perhaps you should seek counseling. ”
Since when has telling the pure, plain and unvarnished truth a "machlah"?
Instead of instinctively being hostile and defensive right from the begginning, next time take the trouble to read the facts of the case, preferably in a reliable, non-sensationalist, newspaper.
39
Aug 29, 2011 at 12:44 PM Billy Says:Report as Inappropriate
חסדי ה׳ כי לא תמנו כי לא כלו רחמיו
40
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:31 PM chavi Says:Report as Inappropriate
I've heard of appealing a guilty verdict, but who ever heard of appealing a not guilty verdict. As for the immigration officials, did their brains get addled by the earthquake? Why didn't they make it possible to leave before the 90 days were up? Believe me, he would have been more than happy to comply! So now they are saying,"We wanted you to leave, but you didn't, so now we won't let you leave??" Also, if this bochur is innocent, and the second bochur did nothing different from this one, shouldn't it logically follow that the second bochur is innocent as well?
41
Aug 29, 2011 at 01:39 PM luv_pancake Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why do you insist on commenting when all it shows what a fool you are? Are you arguing with the Judge who heard the evidence and found him not guilty? because, once agian you are wrong.
You are fond of telling people that they should heed professionals. Well you are the consumate hypocrite. because you comment all the time when it is obvious from all your post that you are oblivious to facts, and reality for that matter.
I am sure that you are proud of your comments. Know this, they proclaim your stupidity to the world.
You have accomplished much with your comments, you have made clear to all that you are a stupid hypocrite. Put that on the certificate on your wall. Next to your comments where you say that you undertstand and appreciate the Nazis. Eckeldicke being that you are. ”
while you might be correct, your last comment was totally unnecessary. I dont know about your mother, but my mother wouldnt allow us to say that word even for food. while it might sound funny, but remember we are talking here about another yid with a tzelim elokim a son (/daughter) of hkb"h. please be careful next time with your comments, thank you.
42
Aug 29, 2011 at 04:08 PM DavidCohen Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Thank you Hashem. From now on yungerleit need to stay out of Japan and other countries where someone wants them to deilver a suitcase. ”
No just Japan, and not just suitcases. Don't take packages or parcels or letters or anything for people. Never. Simple as that. If someone needs to get a package to the other side of the world quickly, tell them to use FedEx.
43
Aug 29, 2011 at 04:27 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why do you insist on commenting when all it shows what a fool you are? Are you arguing with the Judge who heard the evidence and found him not guilty? because, once agian you are wrong.
You are fond of telling people that they should heed professionals. Well you are the consumate hypocrite. because you comment all the time when it is obvious from all your post that you are oblivious to facts, and reality for that matter.
I am sure that you are proud of your comments. Know this, they proclaim your stupidity to the world.
You have accomplished much with your comments, you have made clear to all that you are a stupid hypocrite. Put that on the certificate on your wall. Next to your comments where you say that you undertstand and appreciate the Nazis. Eckeldicke being that you are. ”
What does Hitler have to do with any of this?
44
Aug 29, 2011 at 04:33 PM The_Beadle Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I've heard of appealing a guilty verdict, but who ever heard of appealing a not guilty verdict. As for the immigration officials, did their brains get addled by the earthquake? Why didn't they make it possible to leave before the 90 days were up? Believe me, he would have been more than happy to comply! So now they are saying,"We wanted you to leave, but you didn't, so now we won't let you leave??" Also, if this bochur is innocent, and the second bochur did nothing different from this one, shouldn't it logically follow that the second bochur is innocent as well? ”
no. although one bochur did not know they were smuggling drugs (having thought they were breaking the law by smuggling "only" antiques), the other may have done.
Each is judged on its own merits.
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Aug 29, 2011 at 05:28 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why do you insist on commenting when all it shows what a fool you are? Are you arguing with the Judge who heard the evidence and found him not guilty? because, once agian you are wrong.
You are fond of telling people that they should heed professionals. Well you are the consumate hypocrite. because you comment all the time when it is obvious from all your post that you are oblivious to facts, and reality for that matter.
I am sure that you are proud of your comments. Know this, they proclaim your stupidity to the world.
You have accomplished much with your comments, you have made clear to all that you are a stupid hypocrite. Put that on the certificate on your wall. Next to your comments where you say that you undertstand and appreciate the Nazis. Eckeldicke being that you are. ”
oh please a deal was cut here and read the story he admitted his guilt but claimed he meant no harm and only accepted guilt of smuggling an antique
46
Aug 30, 2011 at 10:26 AM BLONDI Says:Report as Inappropriate
Wasn't the beginning of the story about the boys getting tickets to Uman or somewhere, and this was just a slight detour?? Japan is definitely not in Europe and ignorance is not bliss.
47
Oct 17, 2011 at 12:32 AM Mikki1948 Says:Report as Inappropriate
Please give us an update on the boys.