Rabbi Michael Whitman was among a delegation of rabbis, non-Jewish clergy, and politicians who made representations recently on behalf of Saul Itzhayek, a Montreal businessman whom they feel has been unjustly convicted of entering India without a visa.
Itzhayek, who holds Canadian and Israeli citizenship, was recently convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in the eastern Indian state of Bihar for venturing onto Indian soil on an expired visa.
Once Itzhayek crossed the border, supporters say, he was imprisoned and harshly treated, with the charges trumped up because he refused to pay money in order to be freed.
He’s been in custody ever since, and those making representations on his behalf maintain he has been languishing under intolerable, filthy conditions. Itzhayek has reportedly lost some 50 pounds.
Rabbi Whitman asked that Canadian diplomats in New Delhi demand that Itzhayek be transferred to that city, and that he be given over to the Canadian High Commission and repatriated to Canada.
(Source: Canadian Jewish News)
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4 Responses
hatzlocha rabba to all who are trying to help
I hate to state the obvious, but why dont they contact chabad out there?
A friend of mine from lakewood who does business out there told me that they get young israelis out of prison (drugs etc) on a weekly basis there.
Who can we e-mail on his behalf? Let’s not just read this and say nebech. Please tell us whom we can call, email or write.
Chabad of Manali
Address: Club House Road
Manali, HP India
Phone: 91-190-2253-572
Rabbi Baruch Shenhav, Co-director
Rebbetzin Rachel Tova Shenhav, Co-director
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Chabad Mumbai
Address:5 Hormusji Street – Nariman House – Colaba
Mumbai, 400-005 India
Mailing Address:
30 PJ Ramchandani Marg. APP 44
Mumbai, 400-039 India
Phone: 91-22-2283-6921
Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg, Co-director
Mrs. Rivka Holtzberg, Co-director