Convicted US Spy Pollard Not Allowed To Attend Father's Funeral Despite Israeli Requests

[Purveyor]

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

A former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst convicted of spying for Israel has not been allowed to attend his father's funeral in Indiana.

The White House had spurned requests by Israel to let Jonathan Pollard visit his father before he died Saturday. Morris Pollard was buried Monday in Mishawaka, Ind., without his son present.

The only mention of Jonathan Pollard during the graveside service was when his sister said one of their father's few regrets was "not being able to help his son achieve freedom."

Pollard has been in prison in the U.S. since 1985 and was sentenced to life in prison two years later.

Read more: http://www.newser.com/article/d9nvmupg0/convicted-us-spy-pollard-not-allowed-to-attend-fathers-funeral-despite-israeli-requests.html

[Ganja Ninja]

1. Good let him stay in jail where he belongs. n/t

[leveymg]

2. How many other felony prisoners get let out for funerals?

As I said before, when Pollard reveals the identity of his handler, "Mr. X", he can walk right out of the front gate and never look back, if he cooperates. It's his choice.

[JackRiddler]

3. I don't know the answer to that -- do you?

I searched for

felony prisoners compassionate funeral leave

but it didn't produce links to any kind of overview.

I would think it's common, actually. Do you know?

[plumbob]

4. My brother was not allowed out for dad's funeral.

I'm sure it's because he ran after sentencing and was at large for two years.

[JackRiddler]

5. That may not be the typical case, I'm sure you'll agree.

How common is it, if it's done at all, for federal felony prisoners who have not attempted escape or bail-jumping?

[plumbob]

8. I DO agree, This was just the only case I knew anything about.

nt

[boycottfaux]

6. The Crime?

I think 'compassionate' leave for a prisoner to attend a
parent's funeral depends on severity of the crime and
question:  is there a risk of flight?  There is also the costs
connected with guarding the prisoner outside the confines of
prison.  I believe the prisoner would be responsible for the
cost of security people . .

Risk of flight might be really relevant in Pollard's case . .

[leveymg]

7. I would imagine the cost of his security detail would be extraordinarily high.

He was convicted of espionage and aiding a foreign power, after all, and there is no Extradition Treaty with that foreign power.

[jmowreader]

9. Good.

What Jonathan Pollard did is called "incompatible operations"--a member of a friendly foreign government spying on that government. Most countries throw your ass in jail and weld the cell door shut; I'm certain Israel does that. We need to do the same thing.

Another problem: If we let Pollard out of jail, the Mossad will kidnap him, haul him to Israel and hail him as a hero, and we'll not only never see him again but we'll be in a severe diplomatic quandary: how would we deal with the spectre of our largest aid recipient granting refuge to one of our worst spies?

[jberryhill]

10. Tough Nuggets, Mr. Pollard

I'll try to find a spot for "work up some sympathy" on my to-do list, but it's a really long list.

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. I'll file this under "Tough fuckin' schnookies"

Do the crime, do the time, right?

[BlueIris]

12. Why would he be? nt.