Sholom Rubashkin was granted special permission this morning to leave Iowa for a two-day “religious trip” to New York, the The Des Moines Register is reporting.

Rubashkin will leave his home this afternoon and drive through the night to observe the 15th Yartzheit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

U.S. District Judge Linda Reade accepted the unusual request despite a court order that Rubsahkin remain in Allamakee County pending his trial on immigration, fraud and money laundering charges.

Prosecutors did not object to the trip as long as Rubashkin stays under GPS monitoring, according to federal court records. The U.S. attorney’s office had opposed Rubashkin’s request several months ago to be released from jail, amid concerns that the 49-year-old might try to flee to Israel.

His attorney, Guy Cook, said the annual event is of “exceptional religious significance for those of the Lubavitcher faith.”

Rubashkin is scheduled to leave Postville with a friend this afternoon at 1 p.m. He is expected to arrive at the grave site around 8 a.m. on Thursday, at which time he will call his probation officer.

He will spend most of the day in New York, and then depart for Postville around 7 p.m. on Thursday.

(Source: Des Moines Register)