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The State Prosecutor
wants to send a 69-year-old grandmother to prison for 20 years. If the court
agrees, it will set a precendent, allowing parents to be tried for their
children's actions.
Russian-born Isabella Belfer has already been found guilty of helping her
daughter leave Israel for Moscow with her six-year-old child.
Isabella left with them and returned five years later to look after her
ailing mother.
And in the absence of her daughter, Marina, the state is charging Isabella
with kidnapping. She says her daughter will never go back to Israel.
"Her ex-husband never loved his daughter. He never paid maintenance. I don't
remember him ever buying her a single present. Now she's in Moscow where she
's happy. I love her very much and speak to her almost every day on the
telephone," Isabella Belfer said.
Marina married an Israeli man with a dream of starting a new life. But the
marriage ended in disaster and charges of domestic violence.
Marina Belfer took her child to Russia illegally
The couple's daughter, Lilach, was sent to live with her mother who later
took her out of the country illegally.
Her father, Yaron Rotem, hasn't seen the child for six years. He says he's
both looking forward to and dreading meeting her again.
"My mother is also a grandmother of Lilach. My mother loved Lilach very
much, but she will not be able to see her again," Rotem said.
The case is making legal history in Israel. It could set a precedent
whereby parents can be charged with their children's offences.
Defence lawyer Michael Yarnin says in the past a case like this would never
make it to court.
"My client will appeal to the Supreme Court because she still thinks she is
innocent. We will fight further," Yarnin said.
Meanwhile Isabella's daughter Marina says she will not return to Israel.
Actually it's a choice no mother should ever have to make - to save her
daughter or her mother.
Back in Tel Aviv, the fate of Marina's mother will be decided in two weeks'
time.
kidnapping the couple's child and taking her to Russia.
Source: http://www.russiatoday.ru/news/news/18209
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