Two Israeli Women Released on Bail in Poland After Khat Trafficking Arrest
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Two young Israeli women were released on bail in Krakow, Poland, after three and a half months in detention for allegedly attempting to smuggle 100 kilograms of khat. Their lawyer expressed surprise at the release, given the severity of the charges, but noted they were first-time offenders. The women must report weekly to police and cannot leave Poland pending the trial. This case highlights a wider issue of young Israelis being exploited by criminal groups to smuggle drugs into Europe.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Two young Israeli women were released on bail in Poland after being arrested for attempting to smuggle 100 kg of khat.
- The women, aged 23 and 24, were detained for three and a half months before their release.
- Khat is an illegal and dangerous drug in Poland, and smuggling it carries a potential sentence of up to 23 years.
- The judge ruled the women do not pose a public danger but imposed strict reporting and travel restrictions.
- Their lawyers stated the release was surprising given the large quantity of drugs involved.
- The case is linked to a broader trend of criminal organizations exploiting young Israelis as drug mules.
A court in Krakow, Poland, ordered the release on bail of two young Israeli women, aged 23 and 24, who had been detained for three and a half months on charges of attempting to smuggle 100 kilograms of khat. The women were arrested on June 19 upon arrival from Israel, with the khat found equally divided in their suitcases. Khat is classified as a dangerous illegal drug in Poland and the European Union, and its smuggling is a serious offense.
The judge ruled that the women do not pose a danger to the public but imposed strict conditions: they must report for weekly police supervision and are forbidden from leaving Poland until the legal proceedings conclude. Their Polish lawyer, Wit Steidler, acknowledged the seriousness of the charge, noting that the quantity of khat constitutes a major crime under Polish law, potentially carrying a sentence of three to 23 years. However, he expressed satisfaction that the defense successfully convinced the court that continued detention was unwarranted, especially for first-time offenders.
Israeli lawyer Mordechai Tzivin, who specializes in representing Israelis facing legal trouble abroad, joined the defense effort voluntarily, collaborating with Steidler to represent one of the women. Tzivin thanked Polish law enforcement for their humane and considerate treatment, stating that authorities recognized the case's complexities and mitigating circumstances.
Sources indicate that the arrest of the women is part of a broader phenomenon where criminal organizations exploit young Israelis, often from the Haredi sector, to act as drug mules. They are enticed with free flights and around 5,000 shekels, with assurances that any consequences would be minor fines. Poland is known for its stringent approach to khat smuggling, employing pre-trial detention as a punitive measure. The experience is described as traumatic, involving harsh detention conditions, language barriers, and for observant individuals, difficulties in obtaining kosher food.
