Rubashkin Supporters Blast Justice Department for Oppressive Detention, Continue Call for Release while Rubashkin Awaits Sentencing

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rubashkin1Supporters of Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin today blasted the U.S. Justice Department’s response to their January plea for bail for Mr. Rubashkin, who remains in an Iowa prison pending sentencing.

In a letter to prominent rabbis, the Justice Department failed to address the humanitarian and equitable concerns expressed by the rabbis when they came to Washington on January 26 and were denied a meeting with the Attorney General. In a letter dated March 2, the Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys acknowledged that Mr. Rubashkin had the “overwhelming support” of his community and “taken great pains to comply with the terms of his pretrial release,” but failed to explain why the federal prosecutors had demanded that he be jailed before sentencing. The letter stated, “We are sorry that we cannot be of further assistance.”

The Department of Justice letter was in response to a letter sent by rabbis from leading national Jewish organizations to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder asking that the Attorney General review the case. In the letter, the rabbis wrote “We are astounded that the federal prosecutors have been demanding that [Mr. Rubashkin] be incarcerated although he is demonstrably not a flight risk and imprisonment severely curtails his religious observance.”

“The Justice Department’s letter reveals that there is no legal or factual justification for Sholom Rubashkin’s imprisonment prior to his sentencing,” said Nathan Lewin, an attorney for Mr. Rubashkin. “Sholom Rubashkin is a very religious man who has proposed that he be imprisoned pending his sentencing under 24-hour armed guard at his home, where he can engage fully in religious observances. There is no basis in law and no reason to keep him in a local jail until he is sentenced in April.”

While the district court has now found that Mr. Rubashkin poses a flight risk, the federal judge did agree to his release during the pre-trial period and noted “Mr. Rubashkin had taken great pains to comply with the terms of his pre-trial release.”

The court documents requesting Mr. Rubashkin’s release noted that he has lived in Postville, Iowa, for 18 years with his wife and his ten children, including one autistic teenager. His and his wife’s passport have been surrendered. His pre-trial release was secured with a $500,000 security bond and a GPS electronic monitor, and his supporters have pledged to subsidize 24-hour armed guards appointed by the court if he is to be released at this time. They have also offered $8 million in the equity of 43 homes as security.

{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}


3 COMMENTS

  1. Anti-semitism is alive & well & at home in this country. Klal Yisroel must always remember we are in galus.

  2. The conduct of the DOJ regarding Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin shames the Emanuel Brother, Mr Axelrod and other Jews who serve in the administration. Shame on you all!!!!

    These are people of influence who could if they wished have AG Holder ear as well as the President’s so shame shame

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