Former Fugitive Rabbi Berland to Be Released From Israeli Jail Today
Eliezer Berland was convicted of sexual assault and prosecutors have decided not to appeal a decision granting him early release after five months.
Bratslav Hasidic Rabbi Eliezer Berland will be released from jail Thursday in accordance with the ruling of Israel's parole board on March 6 after serving five months.
- Rabbi Berland admits indecent acts, assault in plea deal
- After years on the lam, Rabbi Berland to face sexual abuse charges in Israel
- Rabbi Berland, convicted of sexual assault, to get early release
His release comes after the State Prosecutor's Office said they had decided not to file an appeal against the ruling.
The warden of Nitzan prison will sign his release forms Thursday and Prison Service guards will leave the hospital ward where Berland is a patient.
Berland was convicted of sexual assault last November after spending years abroad as a fugitive and finally being arrested in South Africa. He was then extradited to Israel and sentenced to 18 months in prison by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court in a plea bargain.
On Tuesday, Israel's parole board ordered his release, shortening his sentence from 18 months to one year.