13 young Orthodox men pleaded not guilty, must turn over passports in connection to tunnel built under historic Brooklyn synagogue
NY Post
Thirteen young Hasidic Jewish community members all pleaded not guilty to charges connected to the damage of a wall in a well-known Brooklyn synagogue that led to a caught-on-camera fracas during an arraignment Wednesday, according to a report.
The young men appeared in court on charges including criminal mischief and obstructing governmental administration while another four defendants were absent because they were in Israel, their lawyer told the New York Times.
The defendants were forced to turn over their passports, but are still allowed to access the synagogue, a judge ruled, according to the newspaper.
Cops clashed with rogue members of the synagogue armed with shovels who were digging a secret tunnel under the religious institution in Crown Heights in January.
The young rebels made the move because higher-ups were dragging their feet on expanding the synagogue’s sanctuary, sources said at the time.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
