Isabella Belfer
Encyclopedia
Isabella Belfer is a sixty-nine year old Russian-born Israeli woman convicted of kidnapping in Israel
and was the oldest person incarcerated in Israel, until she was granted a pardon in 2010. Her case was made famous through Russia Today
, an English language Russian news service, while the Israeli media paid little attention to the case.
, where Belfer and her daughter stayed. However, Belfer's mother, now 94 years old, remained in Israel. Rottem claims that he does not want to take the child away from her mother, but wishes to share custody. He stated that he had never wanted to see Isabella behind bars, and just wanted to be reunited with his daughter. However, his former wife, who chose to stay in Moscow, said that Rottem had abused her.
, but this proved unsuccessful. Her lawyer began trying to obtain a pardon from Israeli president Shimon Peres
. After serving her first six months, an Israeli court reduced Belfer's term to three years in prison. After the trial concluded, Belfer was deeply distressed and stated that she felt weak both morally and physically.
after her sentence was cut in half. Israeli and Russian authorities discussed the possibility of exchanging Belfer for Yair Klein
, an Israeli mercenary being held in Russia for allegedly helping Columbian terrorists. On 14 January 2010, President Shimon Peres
granted her a pardon, allegedly after being personally asked by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
. Belfer was pardoned on condition that Rotem be allowed to visit his daughter in Russia.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and was the oldest person incarcerated in Israel, until she was granted a pardon in 2010. Her case was made famous through Russia Today
Russia Today
Russia Today may refer to:* Russia Today, an English language 24-hour television news channel from Russia. It was launched in 2005 and is not related to an online news service of the similar name operated by EIN News...
, an English language Russian news service, while the Israeli media paid little attention to the case.
Background
In 2001, Belfer and her daughter Marina illegally smuggled Lilach, her daughter's child out of the country. She had previously been married to an Israeli. The Israeli father, Yaron Rottem, has not seen his daughter since and has been trying to get her back. The child was taken to RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, where Belfer and her daughter stayed. However, Belfer's mother, now 94 years old, remained in Israel. Rottem claims that he does not want to take the child away from her mother, but wishes to share custody. He stated that he had never wanted to see Isabella behind bars, and just wanted to be reunited with his daughter. However, his former wife, who chose to stay in Moscow, said that Rottem had abused her.
Capture
Belfer returned to Israel in 2006 to assist her ailing mother. Rottem located her and pressed kidnapping charges. Belfer was arrested and put on trial for kidnapping.Trial
Before her trial, Belfer suffered a mild heart attack and had to undergo surgery. Belfer's defense claimed that she was too old to survive prison conditions and would die even if sentenced to one day. She herself expressed worry about going to prison. She had stated that she wondered how long she could survive in prison. Despite claims that she was too old, she was found guilty of kidnapping on January 27, 2008 and sentenced to six years in prison by Judge Oded Mudric, who in the sentencing, stated that Belfer was guilty of "causing fatal [emotional] injuries by not allowing [Yaron Rottem] to be a parent". Michael Yarnin, her lawyer, attempted to overturn the sentence by appealing to the Supreme Court of IsraelSupreme Court of Israel
The Supreme Court is at the head of the court system and highest judicial instance in Israel. The Supreme Court sits in Jerusalem.The area of its jurisdiction is all of Israel and the Israeli-occupied territories. A ruling of the Supreme Court is binding upon every court, other than the Supreme...
, but this proved unsuccessful. Her lawyer began trying to obtain a pardon from Israeli president Shimon Peres
Shimon Peres
GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years...
. After serving her first six months, an Israeli court reduced Belfer's term to three years in prison. After the trial concluded, Belfer was deeply distressed and stated that she felt weak both morally and physically.
Life in prison
Belfer was granted an interview with Russia TodayRussia Today
Russia Today may refer to:* Russia Today, an English language 24-hour television news channel from Russia. It was launched in 2005 and is not related to an online news service of the similar name operated by EIN News...
after her sentence was cut in half. Israeli and Russian authorities discussed the possibility of exchanging Belfer for Yair Klein
Yair Klein
Yair Klein is a former lieutenant colonel in the Israeli army, who established a private mercenary company called Spearhead Ltd.Through Spearhead Ltd, Klein provided arms and training to armed forces in South America, Lebanon, and Sierra Leone....
, an Israeli mercenary being held in Russia for allegedly helping Columbian terrorists. On 14 January 2010, President Shimon Peres
Shimon Peres
GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years...
granted her a pardon, allegedly after being personally asked by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is the third President of the Russian Federation.Born to a family of academics, Medvedev graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1987. He defended his dissertation in 1990 and worked as a docent at his alma mater, now renamed to Saint...
. Belfer was pardoned on condition that Rotem be allowed to visit his daughter in Russia.