Rabbi of Rostov synagogue deported from Russia

Yelyashiv Kaplun, rabbi of a synagogue in Rostov-on-Don, was deported from Russia for violating the passport and visa regime. On April 20, he flew with his family to Tel Aviv. The decision to deport was made by the court of the Leninsky district of Rostov-on-Don. E. Kaplun, who arrived on the Don from New York and served in the Rostov synagogue for seven years, did not renew his visa on time. According to judge Galina Abramova, he was found guilty of violating the regime of stay on the territory of Russia, non-compliance with the established procedure for registration and evading leaving the Russian Federation after the expiration of the period of stay. Kaplun himself stated at the trial that he did not admit his guilt, since, in his opinion, extending the visa is the responsibility of the community that invited him, and he, as a rabbi, should not have personally dealt with this issue.

Commenting on the situation, Chief Rabbi of Russia Adolf Shayevich said that he did not see bias in the actions of the authorities and that Kaplun should have taken care of the visa extension on his own. According to Shayevich, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, on behalf of which Kaplun worked, will be able to issue a new invitation for him so that he can get a visa in the prescribed manner.

Sources

• The rabbi of the Rostov synagogue was deported from Russia // NEWSru.com. April 20, 2003