Two Haredi Women Released on Bail in Poland After 3.5 Months for Khat Smuggling
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Two young Haredi women were released on bail in Krakow, Poland, after 3.5 months of detention for attempting to smuggle 100 kg of khat. Their lawyer argued they posed no danger, and the court agreed, imposing weekly police supervision and a travel ban. The women, aged 23 and 24, were arrested on June 19 after arriving from Israel, each carrying 50 kg of the drug, which is illegal in Poland and the EU. Conviction carries a potential sentence of 3 to 23 years.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two Haredi women were released on bail in Krakow after 3.5 months in detention for smuggling 100 kg of khat.
- The court accepted their lawyer's argument that they posed no danger, imposing weekly police supervision.
- The women, aged 23 and 24, were arrested on June 19 after flying from Israel with 50 kg of khat each.
- Khat is an illegal drug in Poland and the EU, with smugglers facing 3 to 23 years in prison if convicted.
- Israeli individuals are reportedly recruited as drug mules with promises of flights and money, downplaying risks.
A court in Krakow, Poland, has released two young Haredi women on bail after they were detained for three and a half months for attempting to smuggle 100 kilograms of khat into the country. The court accepted the argument from their Polish lawyer, Wit Steidler, that the women posed no danger. They are now required to report to police weekly and are forbidden from leaving Poland until the legal proceedings conclude.
Steidler explained that the quantity of khat found in the women's luggage constituted a serious crime under Polish law, where khat is classified as a prohibited drug. Conviction could result in a prison sentence of 3 to 23 years. He expressed surprise at the court's decision to release them but noted that they are young, this was their first offense, and holding them in custody was unnecessary. The bail and weekly police supervision were proposed as alternatives.
The two women, aged 23 and 24, were arrested on June 19 after arriving in Krakow on a flight from Israel. Each was found to be carrying 50 kilograms of khat in their suitcases. Khat is in high demand in Europe, particularly among immigrants from Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Israeli sources indicate that individuals, often from the Haredi community, are persuaded to act as drug mules by being offered a flight ticket and approximately 5,000 shekels. They are reportedly told that if caught, the consequences would be minor, such as a small fine or confiscation of their luggage. However, Poland is known for its strict enforcement against khat smugglers, often leading to harsh pre-trial detention for weeks or months, which is described as a traumatic experience due to difficult conditions, separation from family, lack of kosher food, and language barriers.
Lawyer Mordechai Tzivin, who assists Israelis facing legal trouble abroad and voluntarily represented one of the women alongside Steidler, thanked the Polish law enforcement authorities for their humane treatment, acknowledging mitigating circumstances.
