Jonathan Pollard’s lawyers’ request to have his appeal against his strict parole conditions reopened has been granted by the US District Court in the Southern District of New York.
On July 28, 2015 the U.S. Parole Commission announced that Pollard would be released on November 20, 2015, after serving 30 years in prison. After his release on November 20, as scheduled, Pollard relocated to an apartment secured for him by his attorneys in New York City. A job offer, as a research analyst at a Manhattan investment firm, was retracted due to the restrictions imposed on his internet access and the inspections to which his employer’s computers would be subjected. His attorneys immediately filed a motion challenging the terms of his parole, particularly his internet restrictions and the requirement that he wear a GPS-equipped ankle bracelet. The filing included affidavits declaring that the information stolen by Pollard thirty years ago has no value today.
Pollard’s lawyers were livid that the parole conditions require Pollard to wear a GPS device on Shabbos and Yom Tov, also saying that the device has negatively impacted his employment possibilities.
The court later cited Pollard’s desire to move to Israel – and a letter from politicians asking that he be allowed to do so – as reason enough for requiring the encumbering GPS device.
Oral arguments in the case are set for Monday, June 13. However, Pollard’s attorneys have asked for a change, because that day is Shavuos.
{Gavriel Sitrit-Matzav.com Newscenter}
