Rosenstein
Photo: Hagai Aharon
Former top underworld figure Zeev Rosenstein
who is serving a 17-year sentence has submitted a pardon request to the Justice Ministry.
In his request, Rosenstein cites his medical condition as grounds for a pardon but in such instances, an inmate must first appear before a special Israel Prison Service (IPS) committee that examines whether such a request is justified.
The ministry will submit its recommendation to Justice Minister Yaacov Ne'eman, who will then send his recommendation to President Shimon Peres. It is estimated that Rosenstein will not receive a pardon.
The Deal
Florida court approves deal according to which underworld kingpin Rosenstein will be convicted of conspiring to commit a crime, serve 12 years in Israel prison
Last year, Rosenstein demanded that the IPS allow him to undergo treatment for skin cancer at the Haemek Hospital in Afula and not at the IPS's medical facility.
The former crime boss is serving a sentence he received in the US after he was found guilty of several drug-related charges. He was allowed to serve his sentence in Israel, where he was initially placed in solitary confinement at the Ayalon Prison in Ramle. However, after he motioned the court, it was ruled that he be transfered to a cell with other inmates.
Last February, he was convicted within the framework of a plea bargain for conspiracy to commit a crime in connection with the 2001 triple murder at Shaldag Beach in the Sea of Galilee.
The State Prosecutor's Office initially sought to convict him on charges of murder and manslaughter but the sides later reached a plea bargain agreement by which he would serve a 7-year sentence, while five years would be added to the 12-year sentence he is already serving for drug trafficking charges.