Hasidic Man Denies N.Y. Purim Arson Attack
A 22-year-old resident of a Chasidic enclave in New York pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the Purim eve arson of a dissident neighbor’s car.
Aron Fromowitz of New Square pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Ramapo Town Court to setting fire to a car belonging to Aaron Rottenberg, whose house was set alight in May 2011 by Shaul Spitzer, reportedly because Rottenberg refused to pray in the main village synagogue presided over by Rabbi David Twersky, the rebbe of the Skverer Chasidic sect. Both Fromowitz and Spitzer reportedly worked for the rebbe.
Fromowitz, who turned himself in Tuesday, posted bail and was ordered to stay away from Rottenberg’s home. The case will be moved to New Square Village Court, according to the Journal News. Fromowitz could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for the arson charge.
Rottenberg reportedly told police he did not believe the two arsons are related. He said after last year’s attack that he and his family had been harassed at the rebbe’s direction.
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