March 6, 2013

JERUSALEM (JTA) — A man imprisoned for refusing to divorce his wife escaped from the Jerusalem Rabbinical Court following a hearing on the case.

The husband, Shai Cohen of Holon, who has been jailed for nearly six years for refusing to give his wife a religious writ of divorce, or get, asked to use the courthouse’s second-floor bathroom, then jumped out the window and disappeared on Wednesday afternoon. The couple has been estranged for 12 years, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Cohen announced that he was willing to divorce his wife in exchange for visits from his two children, Haaretz said. The case had been ordered back to the Beersheva Regional Court to iron out the divorce agreement. 

Police on Wednesday searched Jerusalem by foot and helicopter. They said they believe the escape was planned and that Cohen had an accomplice.

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