Israel's High Court of Justice reportedly ruled earlier today that
Yitzchak Shuchat, a member of the Crown Heights Shmira street patrol who
allegedly assaulted a black teenager as the teen and a friend walked
home through Crown Heights three years ago, must be extradited to the
United States within 60 days.
Yitzchak Shuchat
Accused Crown Heights Criminal Now Slated To Be Extradited
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Israel's High Court of Justice reportedly ruled earlier today that Yitzchak Shuchat, a member of the Crown Heights Shmira street patrol who allegedly assaulted a black teenager as the teen and a friend walked home through Crown Heights three years ago, must be extradited to the United States within 60 days.
Shuchat was indicted in absentia for the alleged assault as a hate crime three years ago after he was helped to flee the US by Chabad sources. If he is actually extradited, tried and convicted, he could be sentenced to as much as 12 years in a New York State prison.
The teen was a high school honors student who is the son of an NYPD sergeant.
A lower court in Israel ruled in favor of Shuchat’s extradition last year, but Shuchat appealed the decision.
Shuchat’s attorney (originally reported in a Chabad news site to be Mordechai Tzivin) questioned the High Court's ruling, saying Shuchat’s life would be in danger in an American prison.
"Details of his event will be made known to black prisoners and prison guards and there is no doubt that they will try to hurt him, to the risk of death," the attorney reportedly said.
Tzivin also pointed out that Israel's Minister of Justice, Yaakov Ne’eman – and Orthodox Jew with clsoe ties to Chabad – has the final authority over the extradition and can block it if he so chooses.
[Hat Tip: Eric Farquharson.]