Trump releases Orthodox man after receiving children’s letters

Trump commuted the sentence of an Orthodox Jew whose wife suffered from cancer. 

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of Israeli-born Ronen (Boaz) Nahmani, father of five, after receiving heartfelt letters from the man’s children asking him to let their dad come home because their mom is dying of cancer.

Ynet reports that Trump made the decision after receiving letters from three of Nachmani’s children: Ariella (11), Orel (10) and Danielle (8).

“Mr. Nahmani is a non-violent, first-time offender with no criminal history.  He has five young children at home and his wife is suffering from terminal cancer.  These extenuating circumstances underscore the urgency of his request for clemency,” read the White House Statement released on July 29.

Nahmani, a Florida resident, was sentenced in 2015 to 20 years for conspiracy to distribute a synthetic drug he purchased from suppliers in China, Ynet reports.

The statement also noted the wide support for Nahmani’s release among politicians.

“Members of Congress and a broad cross-section of the legal community have expressed support for clemency for Mr. Nahmani,” the statement read.

Nachmani’s children had written Trump asking for clemency.

Thirteen-year-old Ariella wrote, “I am sure you have heard about my family’s situation and how my family was treated unfairly and just thinking about it makes my eyes tear and every Sunday for those few precious hours that we have with him I am miserable because I know that I will be the one to be going home and he will have to stay in that dreadful place.”

Ten-year-old Orel wrote, “Mommy is always tired and always doesn’t feel good. She is always said [sic] and cries but you see she is always sick and doesn’t have strenght [sic].”

Nachmani was represented by star lawyers Alan Dershowitz and Gary Apfel.

Apfel represented Sholom Rubashkin, a kosher food businessman and Chabad member whose sentence Trump also commuted in 2017.