Last prisoner of Japan released from prison

The case of 'prisoners of Japan' came to an end: The last prisoner, Yaakov Yosef Greenwald, was released from prison this afternoon. Outside the prison walls awaited his family who came with balloons, and his lawyer, Mordechai Tzivin.

Three months ago, Greenwald landed in Israel, after lengthy negotiations with the Japanese Justice Ministry and was transferred to the Nitzan prison. On Hanukkah Greenwald was released for the first time for a 24-hour vacation. It was the first time in five years in which he met with his entire family.

A week before Hanukkah Greenwald appeared before the parole board of the Prison Service. The committee members decided that he would be released on 19th Tevet, less one-third of his sentence for good behavior.

Contrary to custom, the judge ruled that the remaining third he will study at a yeshiva, and will not have to engage in community service, as is customary with prisoners sentenced for a similar offense.

Attorney Mordechai Tzivin, who accompanied the story says: "With the end of the Japan affair which was complex and painful, it should be noted that Greenwald wrongly convicted and for reasons that are not of interest. Greenwald was found telling the truth at one hundred percent in terms of real machine results. The facts that have been proven about him and which among other things led to conclusion of the Judge that Greenwald did not lie and did not know the contents of the suitcase, did not save him.

"Only now can one reveal," he said, "that the judge who judged Greenwald was having a deep, personal and professional conflict with the judge who acquitted the prisoner Goldstein. Consequently, the lawyers in Japan asked to replace him - and this enraged him. The conviction of Greenwald served as a tool in the hands of the Judge to bash Goldstein's judge.

"The third committee determined that Greenwald has a positive personality and that it is fitting that he will study during the third in a yeshiva. An unusual decision. Members of the committee expressed surprise at his conviction in Japan."

Photo: Uzi Barak

Tzivin, who is known for his international relations, including unusual and mysterious ones, and who handled the case from beginning to end, further said: "One must specify the two main actors in the affair, which led to positive results in the case of Goldstein and Greenwald: The Dayan Hahid"o Weiss who with his intelligence and fortune did much, while running international connections, along with activist Aharon Nizri from London acted wisely, with diligence and perseverance.

"The work and efforts of attorney Gal Levertov, chairman of the International Department of the State Attorney's Office and Attorney Rijina Tapuhi, senior deputy of the state prosecutor, does not need compliments from me. Anyone who knows their treatment of this case knows that their efforts were beyond their professional call of duty. The fact that the legal entities in Japan commended the professionalism of Levertov and Tapuhi, is the best proof that without their help, we would not have any positive results.

"One can not go without emphasizing the work of Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman, Rabbi Yaakov Bleich, Elimelech Bindiger from Antwerp, Mandy Sodkevitz the Chabad emissary who also helped the boys regarding material legal matters, and Yaakov Yehudah and Aharon Gelber.

"Parenthetically," he concluded, "the truth must be told, unfortunately the Haredi society does not condemn criminals who have even the most serious offenses, but on the contrary, they are honored both with 'Shishi' and with 'Shlishi'. This does not help that some people would be deterred from committing crimes , and unfortunately, I predict that in the future there will be individuals who would consciously agree to smuggle drugs, unlike the prisoners of the Japan affair, where not only were the boys misled, but were deceived in such a way that anyone, whoever it may be, would be fooled."










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Case 'prisoners Japan, came to an end: The last prisoner, Yaakov Yosef Greenwald, was released from prison this afternoon. Outside the prison walls awaited his family, who have balloons, and his lawyer, Mordechai Tzivin.

Three months ago, Greenwald landed in Israel, after lengthy negotiations with the Japanese Justice Ministry and transferred to bud. Hanukkah Greenwald was the first time a 24-hour vacation. Was the first time in five years in which he met with his family.

A week before Hanukkah Greenwald appeared before the parole board of the Prison Service. Committee members decided that the release nineteenth Tevet, less one-third of his sentence for good behavior.

Contrary to custom, the judge ruled that the remaining third he will study at the meeting, and will have to engage in community service, as is customary with prisoners sentenced for a similar offense.

Attorney Mordechai Tzivin, who accompanied the story says: "With the end of the affair japan complex and painful, it should be noted Greenwald wrongly convicted and for reasons that are not of interest. Greenwald is speaking the truth at one hundred percent in terms of real machine results. The facts that have been shown to him and which among other things led to conclusion of Judge Greenwald did not lie and did not know the contents of the suitcase, not saved him.

"Just now you can find out," he said, "that the judge who judged the Greenwald was having a deep conflict, personal and professional with the judge acquitted the prisoner Goldstein. Consequently, asked lawyers in Japan to replace it - and this angered. Conviction of Greenwald served as a tool of Judge bash the judge of Goldstein.

"Third committee determined that Greenwald has a positive personality and fitting that will study during the third meeting. Decision outstanding. Committee, expressed surprise at the conviction in Japan."

Photo: Uzi Barak

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!