Recalcitrant hid 11 years in alleyways of Mea Shearim

A recalcitrant hid in the alleyways of Mea Shearim for many years - and was finally caught: a private detective hired by the Department of Agunos of the Beis Din, was able to locate a man who refused to give his wife a divorce for 11 years, changed his appearance to Haredi and hid in the alleys of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem.

According to a report in Israel Today, this is a secular couple caught in a complicated financial situation and the woman complained of violence by the husband. 14 years ago a divorce file was opened. At first, the husband came to the hearings, but then he disappeared without a trace.

Attempts to locate the man by execution and by creditors failed.

In 2009 the Department of Agunot hired the services of a private investigator to locate the objector and to end the affair. The investigator knew the man had medical problems and it turned out that every few months he used to visit the local Maccabi clinic near Mea Shearim. The Beis Din issued an order to Kupat Cholim and asked them to report the exact time the man would come for treatment. After having received the information, the waited for him at the clinic and arrested him.

In his investigation the husband related that the cause of his escape was not his wish not to give a divorce, but his fear of being harassed by creditors.

Yesterday (Monday), after 11 years, the husband gave the awaited divorce.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!