The appeal was denied: the three prisoners in the Metzger case will remain in custody

Central District Court discussed today (Sunday) afternoon, the appeal filed by lawyers Gil Eshet, Chaim Stanger and Yaakov Weinroth who represent the three suspects and detainees only so far to alleged bribery affair attributed to Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger.

Suspects are: Rabbi Simcha Krakowski, director of charitable organizations 'Soup Kitchen' in Bnei Brak, suspected of money laundering and bribery, Nissan Ben-Zion Zionist, director of seminary for training rabbis and rabbinical judges in Tel Aviv and Chaim Eisenstadt, driver and personal assistant of the chief rabbi on suspicion of taking bribes, fraud and breach of trust, fraud and money laundering.

Lawyers sought to free their clients into house arrest, as Metzger himself was released – for even more serious allegations. Meanwhile, the lawyers tried to offer alternatives to detention for three. For example, attorney Yaakov Weinroth, representing Rabbi Krakowski, offered an alternative that he will be under house arrest with Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman in Migdal Haemek.

Representatives of the Police Superintendent Yehuda and Chairman and Superintendent Dovi Shertzer argued in response that "any discussion of detention argue that the police bring a group to make discrimination against anyone, this is reversed. Regarding any suspect and suspect evidence formulated against a suspect and a suspect, and reasonable stop the investigation against a suspect and suspect. Even when my friends can repeat the argument of discrimination, the only question is - decision of judgment circumstances made are correct and whether the consideration made is true for all suspected and suspicious, and whether it is consistent with the law. We believe the answer is unequivocally yes. Nobody misled the lower court.

Vice President of the District Court Judge Yaakov Abraham dismissed the appeal of the lawyers, however shortened the detention days until Tuesday. Thus reaps the arrest of Eisenstadt and scores a few days, and remained intact arrest of Rabbi Simcha Krakowski.

"This is an affair in which the prime suspect is the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Metzger," began the judge's decision. "As we know, Metzger was released to house arrest without a 5-day rule which was brought to court. Argument of the appellants is discrimination. Claim captivates the heart. Logic behind it is clear; it is unfair that the one who received the bulk of the bribe is released, while seemingly more minor suspects are arrested.

"Disclosed confidential report. A review of the report I learned that the main relationship was between the appellants and third parties, so their fate is not the opinion of Rabbi Metzger. Discrimination can be loaded when it comes to have a different attitude to others. This is not the situation in this case. Claims regarding Rabbi Metzger and regarding the appellants here are not the same arguments and factual evidence is different. As a result, the investigation needs are different. I received a file for a list of investigative actions to perform, and have been convinced some cannot be accomplished unless the appellants are in custody."

At the end of the hearing the judge asked to address claims of Rabbi Zioni who turned to the Prison Service authorities to check whether it is indeed an allergy to flea bites and thus caused him suffering. "I order the prison doctor to examine the appellant three and will determine today whether he is fit for detention."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!