Justice Shackled

I reported on this case previously, and am amazed that our liberal civil rights groups haven't taken up her case. Could it be that ideological and political principles overcome concern for freedom and jutsice? (Just allow me a second to remove my tongue from deep within my cheek before I proceed).

ISRAELI JUDGE ACCEPTS POLICE EVIDENCE IN LIGHTNING HALF-MINUTE HEARING

An Israel judge spent less than one minute to order a Jewish woman prisoner back to jail despite the lack of a formal indictment. In a move that the defense termed unprecedented, Kfar Saba Magistrate Nitza Maimon Shashua spent less a minute before she accepted police evidence against Rivka Meirchik, who has been imprisoned for over two months without formal charges. The judge also refused to hear defense arguments and left the courtroom. "This makes a mockery of the law," defense attorney Aviad Visoly said on June 5. "It's disgusting."

Visoli said that the judge refused to schedule another hearing in the next two days and he said the court is not abiding by its decisions. "The judge has to bring her [Ms. Meirchik] before a court every 48 hours," Visoly said. "We will appeal to the Petah Tikva District Court."

Ms Meirchik, who suffers from severe food allergies, appeared emaciated and remained handcuffed and shackled in leg irons during her court appearance. "She doesn't eat anything except for fruit," prison guard Orit Hasidi said. "We don't have in prison the other foods she eats.

Ms. Meirchik, who was arrested on April 2 at the Jewish community of Shvut Ami in the northern West Bank, is being held in solitary confinement until the end of judicial proceedings and has been denied visitation and phone rights.

(Kippah tip: IMRA)