Av Beis Din of 'Eida' for Elior Chen: "innocent man"

Chen, who was named the 'abusive rabbi' and sentenced to 24 years in prison, is now getting surprising support: in a letter signed by Av Beis Din of the Eida Haredis, Hgri"t Weiss, the Rebbe of Mishkenot Haroim and the Rebbe of Mevakshei Emunah, they seek to recruit for what they call "pidyon shvuyim" (redemption of captives).

The letter came from the leader of the Eida Haredi towards the hearing held this morning (Monday) in the Supreme Court, following an appeal filed by Chen. Chen, who was convicted of severe abuse of eight children, is asking to cancel the severe sentence against him - in full or in part.

According to the letter, "people of malice and evil joined together and made an accusation of malice and evil on an innocent person and plotted to imprison him, along with villains and criminals for many years!! Besides many penalties alone numerous different problems."

Towards the appeal the rabbis wrote: "Please brothers of misfortune! Lift high your eyes and increase your prayers and pleas before the Almighty King that He will show mercy and hear our plight and will redeem us an everlasting salvation.

"And as known that the judgment in their court is considerate of public opinion of the trial in that courtroom at the time - dear Jew! Do not stand idly by at this difficult time - do not say "my hand did not shed this blood" - for previously we did not support and represent him properly during his trial."

Chen's associates hope was that 600 people will be present at the hearing, but so far only 30 people came.

Two years ago, Chen's lawyers, Dror Arad - Alon and Yuval Nahmani filed the appeal which was discussed in court this morning. They seek to appeal "to order the acquittal of the appellant and alternatively to order the hearing of the trial from the beginning." If these are not accepted, Chen's lawyers ask to "significantly ease the sentence," as the appeal said.

In their petition, the lawyers explained the appeal for five reasons: first, according to the lawyers, "the lack of a proper process that caused a real distortion including faulty representation and conduct of the court,"; the second "the lack of evidence to prove the offenses – in whole or in part", the third - "Fault in the uniqueness of extradition and conviction of offenses which were not included in the extradition order"; fourth -"mistakes in determination of interim applications of the trial"; fifth - "sentencing error," as lawyers define it.

The lawyers emphasize in the appeal: "There are direct evidences which are incompatible, or at least raise real and reasonable doubts, to the assertion that the appellant established a" cult "and headed it; the assertion that he controlled others in general, and ordered the use of violence or abuse of minors; the assertions that he was responsible for serious injury of children, and the assertion that he himself used violence or abuse against minors."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!