In Letters Sent to Jewish Community Prior to His Alleged Arrest, Elior Chen Details Why He Plans to Turn Himself in to Local Authorities
By Avner Hofstein
YNet News
June 8, 2008
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3553122,00.html
Letters sent by Elior Chen to his supporters in the Jewish community of Sao Paulo days before he was detained raise doubts in the versions of the story presented by the Israeli and Brazilian police and may indicate he was not arrested but rather chose to turn himself in.
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| Elior Chen surrenders? |
In letters written to rabbis in the community and sent a very shortly prior to his arrest, Chen declares that he decided to turn himself in and describes his plans for the future.
"Unfortunately, I am compelled to turn myself in so that the entire community will not be harmed because of me," explains Chen in a letter which describes his decision to put an end to the three-month period as a fugitive from the authorities.
"I presume this will help my situation, since if they catch me they will act in a much harsher manner and I have almost no refuge. I have nowhere or way to hide if I don't turn myself in. So, with a heavy heart I am surrendering with the hope that God has mercy on me and will deliver me from fear and worry."
In addition, Chen asked rabbis to help him while in jail and talks of his loneliness. "If they keep me in Brazil, try to assist me as much as possible with all my Jewish observance needs and the conditions, and come to visit me here because I am very lonely. My family has left and I am truly like an unwanted carcass.
"I am scared that they won't support me and leave me here in order to show the police that they have no ties with me. So, I ask you, for God's sake don't forget me and try to help me," he added.
Chen turned himself in on Tuesday at midnight and arrived at the police station with his lawyer. The following day Brazilian police notified their Israeli counterparts that Chen had been apprehended in the street in a daring operation.
Chen, his lawyers, and those closest to him have denied the claims and maintain he turned himself in.
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