Jacob Ostreicher, an Orthodox Jewish American held captive in Bolivia since June 2011 has made his way to the United States, The Algemeiner has confirmed.
A source familiar with efforts to have the businessman released confirmed that an “operation” took place Sunday night that resulted in Ostreicher’s return to his family.
In an email circulated to friends and supporters, his nephew Moshe confirmed the news as well.
“With happiness, we are informing the community of Israel that our dear uncle… has already left the iron curtain in Bolivia, and is now, with G-d’s great mercy, here in America,” Moshe wrote.
Jewish leaders, some of which have actively campaigned for his release reacted to the news Monday afternoon.
“With thanks to G-d, I am *thrilled* that Jacob Ostreicher is finally home in America!,” tweeted Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind.
Councilman David Greenfield said “American Jews are celebrating the news that Jacob Ostreicher, who was falsely imprisoned since June 2011 in Bolivia, is now back home in NY.”
Ostreicher was arrested in Santa Cruz, Bolivia while overseeing a rice growing venture he had invested in. He has never been formally charged, and has always maintained his innocence, calling allegations against him of money laundering and criminal organization “the scam of the century.”
In an interview with The Algemeiner last year Ostreicher’s wife, Miriam Ungar, said that the arrest may have been sparked by the success of her husband’s business enterprise.
“I believe that they [Bolivian government] got wind that this would be a successful business venture. He had 50 million pounds of rice harvested and when they found out… they said ‘what can we do about this?,'” she said at the time.
Last December Ostreicher was released on bail by the Bolivian government, but had been held since that time under house arrest.
A number of prominent officials campaigned for Ostreicher’s release, including New York Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).
New York Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and Rep. Chris Smith and to the actor Sean Penn, on their efforts to free Ostreicher, so happy for him and his family, south american prisons are really the worst
mazel tov, only good news for klal yisrael, Shalom Mordechai next together with the ones mentioned above
to # 26 –
U got that right I agree.
to # 14 – shame on u – who r u to judge souls? every yid has good and bad including rubashkin
You’re being very cryptic; would you mind explaining your comment, please?
It’s a good sign ! Rubashkin will surely be the next !
i am shocked and disappointed!! Tzvi Boyarski of Aleph was one of the most influential in getting him reliesed. Yet no mention of him or thanks given. the politicians were helpless until tzvi got involved. im really shocked and disappointed what bcan i say. happy for him and his family but it wouldnt hurt to say thank you
For the last a few years that yaakov yehuda Ben shaindel was in prison in Bolivia we prayed for him ,בה׳ he is free , we all kcal Israel so happy for him and his family , let continuance to pray for other prisoner שלום מרדכי הלוי בן רבקה, י. יונתן בן מלכה, warren Ben sarA Weinstein , Alan Ben Sara gross,mr levinson , Debora bat varda .and all this that need yeshihot HaShem should send them right now.
Free Shlom Mordcha Halevi ben Rivka now!!
thank you, news worth sharing!
baruch ata hashem hatov vehametiv!!!!
if you are already wishing, why just wish for a 1/2 fast day, why not wish that they be free??!!
(avoid the middle man!)
Tzvi, your hard work really paid off!! Kol Hakovod to you and to the entire ALeph staff!
dont forget sean penn’s efforts
Boruch Hashem !!!! Yeshuos Hashem kheref
Ayin! May it be the start of all iron curtains removed!!!!
I wish someone would proclaim a half day fast for world Jewry for the above pidyon shvuim.
Baruch Mattir Assurim!
The two mens’ souls should not be mentioned in the same sentence.
Iyh to Sholom Mordechai HaLevi ben Rivka and all our other brethen
Sean Penn flew down there to try to get him out as well
i also have been davening him for three times a day. i AM VERY HAPPY FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY. Baruch Hashem.
Amazing news. Thanks for sharing.
Mazel Tov! COL you should be the bearer of good news everyday!
Now it’s Pollard’s turn
great news , Boruch Hashem
Been davening every day for him.
Rubashkin next
now, what about rubashkin??????????????
mazel tov.