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Bolivian Court Denies Bail for Jacob Ostreicher

A Bolivian court denied bail Thursday morning to Jacob Ostreicher, a Borough Park, Brooklyn resident who has been incarcerated without formal charges for more than a year. The bail hearing lasted nine grueling hours and was spread over two days while Jacob’s mother, a Holocaust survivor, sat through the entire process in the Bolivian courtroom along with her daughter, Jacob’s sister, both weeping uncontrollably.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), who continues to advocate for Ostreicher, promised to re-double his efforts to set Jacob Ostreicher free.

“It’s inhumane the way Jacob has been treated,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “His human rights have been continually denied, his health is failing, and his family is suffering from his absence and mistreatment. We have to continue to bring attention to this travesty of justice. We have to demonstrate that Jacob Ostreicher’s life and freedom matter.”

The Assemblyman is organizing thousands of synagogues into action on behalf of Jacob Ostreicher this Shabbos, September 1st (14 Elul), Shabbos Ki Teitzei. Hundreds of thousands of Jews across America are expected to join in prayer and follow-up with calls and letters to elected officials.

The National Council of Young Israel, The Orthodox Union (OU) and The Rabbinical Alliance of America have all agreed to publicize Shabbos Ki Teitzei for Jacob Ostreicher to their rabbis, congregations and affiliates. Rabbis across America will be speaking about Ostreicher in their Sabbath addresses and leading special prayers on his behalf. Following the Sabbath, congregational membership will be encouraged to urge their Congressman to adopt Ostreicher’s cause.

“I believe Jacob Ostreicher is fully innocent of all wrong doings,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Numerous media reports from WABC’s ‘Nightline’ to The Wall Street Journal concur that Jacob is being used as a political football; his family, needlessly traumatized by this on-going nightmare. And now, as feared, Jacob’s very life may be in danger. I am proud that Jews from across the country and all stripes of orthodoxy will be demonstrating their complete solidarity in this urgent matter. We cannot rest while Jacob is imprisoned.”

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9 Comments

  • From the heart

    More importantly, why was he denied bail? If Bolivia is so corrupt, wouldn’t they just take his money?

  • disappointed

    what is his full name & his mother’s name? has anybody written to The rebbe or at least sent his name in to the Ohel requesting a Bracha for him? if not why not? ad Moosai. If ever there is a cse of Pidyon Shevuyim this is it where are tHe Shemtovs with their big shot Political Connections?? This is a case of Tutz Altz Vos Di KentZ!!! if for no other reason then Ahavas Yisroel

  • Why did Jacob Ostreicher

    try to start a business in a politically corrupt country like Bolivia

  • Yossel

    Even if he did something he shouldn’t have done…he’s being needlessly punished. Shalom Rubashkin, Jonathan Pollard…are receive MUCH MORE severe treatment that others doing far worse crimes! It’s because they are JEWISH that they are being treated in such a horrible manner!!!

  • Your Tefillos will help

    Please continue to daven for a Yeshuah for Yaakov Yehudah Ben Shaindel in this Chodesh of Rachamim !

  • Read up on it

    He is being held without ANY charges!! The corrupt government has been holding him without formal charges for him to defend himself against