Thirteen members of the Hasidic Jewish community have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from their alleged role in a dispute over an illegal tunnel built beneath a historic Brooklyn synagogue
FILE - Hasidic Jewish students observe as law enforcement establishes a perimeter around a breached wall in the synagogue that led to a tunnel dug by students, Jan. 8, 2024, in New York. Thirteen members of the Hasidic Jewish community pleaded not guilty Wednesday, April 10, to charges stemming from their alleged role in a dispute over an illegal tunnel built beneath a historic Brooklyn synagogue.
Prosecutors say the defendants — who ranged in age from 19 to 26 — were involved in a Jan. 8 melee in the basement of the global headquarters of Chabad-Lubavitch, a movement of Orthodox Judaism. The dispute erupted after the discovery of an underground passage connecting four buildings within the famed Jewish complex.
When Chabad leaders moved to seal the tunnel, characterizing it as a rogue act of vandalism, a group of young men fought back, ripping the wooden siding off the synagogue and refusing to leave the dusty passage. Their protest escalated as police arrived, leading to a chaotic scuffle and more than $1,500 in property damage, according to court papers.
An investigation by the Department of Buildings found the tunnel, which has since been filled with concrete, compromised the stability of several structures surrounding the religious complex, leading to vacate orders at four buildings.
Law Enforcement Crime Judaism Indictments U.S. News General News Article 109141298
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thirteen men plead not guilty for role in Brooklyn synagogue tunnel scuffleThirteen members of the Hasidic Jewish community have pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from their alleged role in a dispute over an illegal tunnel built beneath a historic Brooklyn synagogue.
Read more »
Thirteen Proposals Now Petitioning for Colorado's November BallotOnly one measure has qualified so far, but around a dozen initiatives are still collecting signatures.
Read more »
Thirteen miners trapped in Russian gold mine, authorities sayNo 1 source of global mining news and opinion
Read more »
Lyft Driver Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Thirteen-Year-Old Passenger in AuroraShengfu Wu, 38, will be eligible for parole in August 2028.
Read more »
Jewish union will deliver nearly 200K letters to Biden urging support for IsraelThe Orthodox Union will deliver 180,000 signed letters to Biden to mark the 180th day of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Read more »