Rifqa Bary to be returned to Ohio …no, wait……
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The following thorough report on yesterday’s court proceding are from Pamela Geller – Atlas Shrugs (Please click here to see pictures)
Transcription of my live blog (no electronics in the court room) — much thanks to Mark C. for scoring me a press pass.
Two courts are meeting at the same time on the same matter; both will be listening to each other’s statements via audio link. Two judges will be deciding the case — whether Rifqa Bary goes back to Ohio.
The courtroom is packed. Many well wishers, all of Rifqa’s Christian friends, strangers, apostates, have descended on a small courtroom in Orlando.
Going live ……….. parents are in the courtroom in Ohio. Audio is going live now to Ohio.
To say this is unusual is a gross understatement.
Audio kicks in from Ohio: listing attendees. Lawyers, guardian ad litem for Rifqa in Ohio. So many lawyers. Judge Elizabeth Gill (sp?) in Ohio.
First issue was mediation. What was resolved in mediation ……….nothing (shocka!). Shayan “Shaytan” Elahi promised so much at the last hearing, remember?
Second issue. Rifqa’s transcript. Apparently parts of it must be redacted (must be pretty awful).
Lastly, Judge Daniel Dawson explains the proceedings. We have a judge on the phone to determine jurisdiction, because there were no custody proceedings going on in any other states. But now two cases have been filed. The first concerns Rifqa being charged with being “ungovernable”. The court (Florida) researched it and doesn’t think it has merit. Perhaps because she is a straight A student, no boys, no drugs, no alcohol.
The second case filed under Ohio law is a dependency petition — a “conflict” petition — a pleading that a child makes an accusation that a parent denies. The court recognized the conflict between the parent and the child. The child can be placed in foster care (in Ohio) while that hearing is held, as “a child in need of services”. The father filed for conflict resolution, and it is now in the hands of the state prosecutor’s office.
Franklin County Child Services has selected a foster care home for Rifqa, as going home “is not in the best interests of the child”.
Prosecution (in Ohio) is “free to pursue” the child’s allegation. The father cannot drop the case, though I have little faith in Ohio’s desire to prosecute this case. Let’s be real here.
The unsung hero in this Shakespearean Islamic drama is Rifqa Bary’s GAL (guardian ad litem), Krista Bartholomew. She was magnificent. She loves Rifqa (I believe that). She stated that she understood that the law is clear, Ohio has jurisdiction. Though she “does not believe Rifqa should be sent back”. Bartholomew wanted to “present evidence”, insure a smooth transition, conduct a psychological evaluation in Florida. Bartholomew said she wants “to protect the child from any further harm”. Bartholomew felt more comfortable with an FLA psych evaluation — she thought it was more likely to be “accurate”.
Karlene Cole Palmer of Florida DCF (Department of Children and families) jumped on this. Rifqa has no friend in DCF. Palmer demanded to know who would pay for it. Bartholomew assured her the money could be found, or that Rifqa could use the trust fund. Palmer sparked at this, said that she had “problems with the trust fund”. Palmer went after the trust fund like a pit bull. Palmer insisted upon a full “investigation” of the trust fund set up by good people supporting this tiny girl. Unreal.
Bartholomew advised the court that Rifqa was getting straight A’s across the board in very difficult courses. She strongly recommended that Rifqa be allowed to finish the term in Fla (to Thanksgiving). Palmer of DCF would have none of it. She insisted Rifqa could finish the virtual curriculum in Ohio. When the judge asked who would pay for that, Palmer insisted she would “find the money”. Nickel and diming Rifqa’s team on who pays for the psych evaluation, but Palmer and the DCF have got money to school her in Ohio. Got that?
Bartholomew insisted, “don’t move her for the sake of moving her”. Yes, Bartholomew is all that (and Rifqa loves her).
The Ohio judge wants to do the psych evaluation on Ohio. Judge Gill wants to do everything in Ohio. This is not a disinterested party. Ohio is pushing for early return.
Again, Bartholomew and Stemberger reiterate that the best way to keep her safe is do the psych evaluation in Florida. Elahi pops a vein. Again attacks Bartholomew, calling it a ploy. Then he has the gall to say, “If it’s a matter of money, it’s not a problem. The parents can handle any money matters”. That’s rich. Weren’t they indigent a couple of months ago?
The last issue, and the one that comes up every hearing, is the missing immigration docs. Still, Elahi (Mohamed Bary’s lawyer) does not provide them, though he was threatened with contempt of court last hearing.
Dawson was very concerned — “why no papers”? And how does Shayan “Shaytan” Elahi respond? He attacks Bartholomew. Says she has an agenda (uh, yeah, Rifqa’s life). And of course starts running down John Stemberger, who is very quiet.
Dawson says, “that explanation is unacceptable”. Rifqa looks nervous. She has glanced over to look at me a number of times. She knows I know.
The Judge, patient as Mother Theresa, starts getting testy here. He wants the docs. Shayan keeps ranting. Says what docs. Oh yeah, this guy is a piece of work. Bartholomew says she has gotten two pages off a passport and only a partial piece of the visa. Dawson says he is “very alarmed ” (I’ll say). Dawson says he has bent over backwards to give the parents as much time and opportunity to provide the docs. It is simply a matter of going to a copy machine and making a copy.
Reviewing all issues: The court agrees Ohio has jurisdiction and the Florida court maintains emergency jurisdiction.
Dawson is firm. Immigration will be resolved in the Florida court. No reason why they have not completed that formality.
Stemberger finally speaks. He says to the judge, Rifqa’s parents are threatening to take her back to Sri Lanka. He says it is very dangerous. “Apostasy killings”.
Finally.
Well, Shayan “Shaytan” Elahi goes ballistic. Nuts. Accusing Stemberger of “anti-Muslim” bias. (Shaytan photo left.)
Dawson says to Shayan, “you and your client didn’t supply it. I want it before this child leaves Florida.”
Elahi accused Stemberger of “religious predatory practices”. Dawson said it is the parents’ fault for not getting the immigration documentation.
I interviewed a family from Sri Lanka who came to show support for Rifqa. The mom is an apostate. Listen to her — I did a quick five minute interview with her in the courthouse: Download apostate.mp3 (5520.9K)
Stemberger continues. Undocumented persons get deported. Crossing state lines in dangerous.
Dawson agrees. He wants the immigration papers. Threatens Elahi with contempt. Very sternly, “you did not comply with the order”. Shayan says he is afraid Stemberger is going kidnap Rifqa, “squirrel her out of the country”. (I kid you not).
Rifqa will not leave Florida until the immigration papers are filed. Next court date is on the 23rd, unless he furnishes the paperwork before then.
Rifqa’s lawyer asks if she can see the Lorenzes one more time before she is sent home. Elahi is adamant no. The only reason the Lorenzes were restricted from seeing Rifqa is because Elahi tried to have criminal charges filed. He wrote a letter to the police. But that’s it. No investigation was ever opened and the Lorenzes have never been charged with anything. There is no investigation, so why can’t Rifqa see them one last time? They approach the bench. I don’t know what happened.
After the hearing was over, I snapped a couple of pics of Rifqa. A woman, courtroom monitor (you know the kid who was hall monitor grows up and becomes courtroom monitor) ran after me (I was outside!), cops in tow, and made me delete. ONLY THE COURTROOM CAMERA! Yes, mein herr.
I also had it out with Phil Keating of FOX news. I asked him outright, in front of all the news cams, why he had it out for Rifqa. He said he didn’t. He cited FDLE report showing no threat. I said they didn’t touch the threat. They did not look into apostasy killings or the punishment for apostasy in Islam. He said where’s your proof. I cited the Al-Azhar fatwa. Eyes glazed. I spoke of apostasy killings and honor killings worldwide. Keating said that they are very rare. He just makes it up, I guess, as he goes along.
UPDATE: The Bary family is here illegally. If Rifqa is sent back to Sri Lanka because of her illegal status (something, I think, the family, desperately wants), the danger is very near fatal. Here’s an excerpt from my interview with a woman, an apostate, who came to the hearing just to show moral support. She does not know Rifqa, but is an ex-Muslim from Sri Lanka. Thanks to Den for transcribing this in the comment section:
Pamela: Okay we are going to start, I am in the court room. It is October 13th, Rifqa Bary’s Hearing.
We’ll be deciding jurisdiction – does she stay or does she go. Is it a Reckoning or a Requiem.
I am sitting here with a family – their names will not be disclosed. Their background is Sri Lanka much the way Rifqa Bary’s background is Sri Lanka – the Mum is an apostate. She is a convert from Islam.
Can you tell us a bit about the danger that Rifqa faces?
Sri Lankan Apostate: Yes, she will have real problems. Even if she has to go to the family, Mother and Father. Because it is in their faith, it is written this has to happen when you go away from the Islam, then Kill.
As Prophet Mohammad has told as in the Hadiths and also in the Koran. This is what I learnt also when I was a muslim. That you should kill all the Jews first and then the Christians then other nations if you are not believing in Allah.
So, this was taught when I was a small child. This is like being brainwashed. People they don’t know what is in the Koran, they don’t want to know even because it is simply holy. You are not allowed to see what is inside, and even if you see that, it is in Arabic language, and translation they are not interested. They believe that. They say Koran nobody can translate, so what can we believe? Somehow I got to know the reality. In the Koran it is written that there is light and guidance in the Torah and light and guidance in the Injil [Gospel].
Then, it is in the Old Testament and New Testament and even though we are not allowed to read these or see these people who have this book, Islam teaches us always don’t breed with those Kuffars, with unbelievers who are not in Islam, and that they have changed their own books and the Christians and the Jews, they are not like those days that books which God gave and so today Allah gave for us, that is why we are going on like Allah wants, so this is not the real way. When Allah says in the Koran that Torah has lied, Indian has lied, then why don’t I see this.
So, actually after a long time, after a few years, I got to know the Bible and that which were from Moses, his own hand ?? I couldn’t believe it, this way, that God speaks to Prophets, and the Prophets sent a message from God. If you compare the Koran and the Bible, is entirely different ways and means. Allah says in the Koran – kill everybody but Christ says, and Indian, love each and prayer for enemy.
Pamela: So let me ask you a question. You come from Sri Lanka? If she goes back to Sri Lanka with her family becomes they have problems with their legal status – what will it be like for a muslim in Sri Lanka, someone like Rifqa who has converted? Are they a secular society are they understanding of such a conversion?
Sri Lankan Apostate: No. She will die, she will die in her society. Society won’t leave her alone. Even if the family, Mother and Father has a little sympathy, but not society, society is worse because she has gone too far.
Pamela: You mean more pressure from society, more judgement comes down upon the family?
Sri Lankan Apostate: Yes. The society will never leave the family in peace. They have to take a stand for this, because it is the shame. Rifqa has brought a shame for their religion and for their society.
[...]
Pamela: So your whole family is here? You are not related to Rifqa?
Sri Lankan Apostate: No.
Pamela: Why did you come to this hearing with your family?
Sri Lankan Apostate: Because when I see the youtube everytime, it is like my situation
Pamela: When you heard Rifqa on youtube, that was on my site, you saw yourself in her?
Sri Lankan Apostate: Yeah, I had really sympathy on her, this is my same situation that is going on with her, eh, that danger in life.
Pamela: Okay, thank you very much.
FURTHER RESOURCES
Rifqa Bary to be sent back to Ohio
Christian Convert Teen Must Go Back to Ohio, Judge Rules
Christian Convert Teen Must Go Back Home, Judge Rules
Judge to Order Christian Convert to Return to Ohio
Runaway teen Christian convert must return to Ohio, judge rules
Pastor Who Helped Christian Convert Runaway Hopeful Despite Court Ruling
Case of runaway convert leads to Muslim-Christian clash
EDITORS NOTE PLEASE SEE THIS IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM ATLAS SHRUGS (15th OCT)
ATLAS EXCLUSIVE BREAKING Mohamed Bary’s Missing Immigration Documents: Status ILLEGAL
If you have stumbled onto this blog and are not a Christian, get yourself a hot drink, pull up a comfy chair and then tuck into the following article written by one of the best in the business:- All Of Grace by Charles Spurgeon
Tags: Christian Persecution