Family of Israeli imprisoned in Colombia asks Rivlin to intervene

The requests comes after riots in Bogota over unsanitary conditions amid the coronavirus outbreak.

MARCH 23, 2020 18:13

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin talks during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus February 12, 2019. (photo credit: YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU/REUTERS) — Israeli President Reuven Rivlin talks during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus February 12, 2019.

(photo credit: YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU/REUTERS)

The family of Israeli sailor Ro’i Erez, who was convicted in Bogota for smuggling cocaine, has appealed to President Reuven Rivlin to intervene with the Colombian authorities to enable him to be transferred to house arrest in the home of a relative in Bogota.

Erez was convicted and imprisoned after a heavy shipment of drugs was found on the boat on which he was serving.

Following recent prison riots in Bogota over unsanitary conditions and fears relating to the coronavirus, which resulted in 23 dead and 83 injured inmates, Erez’s family decided he was at high risk if he remained in the prison. He also is said to be suffering from acute depression.

The family says the matter is crucial for both reasons, and therefore he must temporarily be transferred to a safer place.

Erez’s lawyer, Eyal Shmulewicz, wrote an urgent letter to Rivlin asking him to intervene on humanitarian grounds to prevent Erez from being infected. The letter emphasizes that Erez is an Israeli citizen and is entitled to help from the Israeli authorities.

The letter does not ask for him to be repatriated but to be allowed to serve part of his sentence in the home of his relative for a limited emergency period.

Erez was sentenced to five years in prison and has already served three.

He is one of dozens of Israelis who are incarcerated in foreign prisons.