Washington – A retired FBI official told a House subcommittee on Wednesday that the imprisonment of a New York Chasidic Jew in Bolivia is “state-sponsored kidnapping.”
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Along with the ex-official, Steve Moore, the U.S. House of Representatives human rights subcommittee on Wednesday heard testimony from the family of Jacob Ostreicher, who was arrested a year ago by Bolivian police after it was alleged that he did business with “people wanted in their countries because of links with drug trafficking and money laundering.” Ostreicher, a father of five from the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, belonged to a group of investors that sunk $25 million into growing rice in lush eastern Bolivia.
The hearing was chaired by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), who said in his opening statement that the U.S. government “must do everything we can to correct the ongoing, extreme injustice being perpetrated against Mr. Ostreicher and secure his freedom as quickly as possible.”
Committee members heard from Ostreicher’s wife, Miriam Ungar, and his daughter, Chaya Weinberger. Both pleaded for Ostreicher’s release by the Bolivian government.
“He, together with all those who love him and want him home are waiting,” Weinberger said during her testimony. “We are waiting to see the demonstration of liberty on which our country is based upon,”
Video Replay of the hearings below: starts at Minute 22.12
Wow that’s a strong statement by congresswomen Nydia Velasquez I am glade we Orthodox people have a good friend to support us in congress we need many like her in Washington, lets support her at the upcoming election in two weeks…. Here is her statement;
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Jacob Ostreicher’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of due process in our legal system. The right to a fair and speedy trial is a fundamental principle in American society. Our founders recognized that without this cornerstone of American law, the government could arrest and hold citizens indefinitely.
“It has now been 370 days since Jacob was originally arrested. Yet, he has not been charged. The prosecution has not even presented any evidence of his guilt. While, initially, Jacob was to be released on bail, that decision was revoked. The judges in the case have been removed and currently no judge is presiding.
wow wow wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! This story is crazy! you can totally see the way this whole story was fabricated so the govt. makes the profits off the rice he was growing.
Oy Bashefer let’s hope 1 & for all that he’s immediately released in good health.
Just a small question for the calm people on VIN – NOT FOR THE HOT HEADS THAT GET CRAZY MAD WITH ANY QUESTION that”s posted.
Why is his wife called Miriam Unger & not Miriam Ostreicher?
Finally some action …about time
An outrage!!! With no relief in sight. This tragedy of epic proportion should deter any Jew from traveling to a third world country. As Steve Moore stated: “Jacob is in this prison for four reasons: One; he is an American. Two; he is white. Three; he is Jewish, and Four; he has money.”
Hopefully he will be released soon.
B”H the chassidim as well as people from lakewood are involved and doing what they can. Showing up at protests, signing and getting signatures for ppetitions, travelling to Washington DC for hearings, using what politcal pull they have to get hearings and of course davening and saing tehillim for Yanky.
It is sad that others such as Shredready and his ilk are such haters that they cannot even get off their lazy behinds for a moment to do something for a fellow Yid who is unjustly imprisoned. They feel that is it is a heimishe yid let him rot. What a bunch of worthless rotten low-lifes.
Why is nothing being done ? Wher is Hillary and Obama?
I hope everyone does at least the bear minimum, and SIGNS the petition, and if you have an extra minute, email at least one of the Government officials mentioned on the website.
Would love to have seen the whole hearing….hope that this will IYH help him come home as soon as possible….with the help of Hashem, he will.
corrupt latin american country, that government is useless
Mr. Moore the ex FBI says clearly
1:16 he is in prison in Bolivia is Because #1 he is American # 2 he is white, # 3. he has money and #4 he is a Jew..
it’s all about bribes and money very sad..
OU rabbis visited Obama this week, did they raised the issue or just self centered for their own agenda?
Could all those who signed the petition for Rubashkin please sign the petition for Ostreicher.
I did not sign for Rubashkin (because he is guilty and was sentenced according to standard Federal guidelines), but I did sign for Ostreicher, who is being held in a dangerous prison in a corrupt communist county, without the benefit of due process.