Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) led a gathering of elected officials this afternoon in demanding justice for Jacob Ostreicher, a Brooklyn resident held for more than a year in a Bolivian prison. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, former NY Governor David Paterson and others joined the Assemblyman along with Ostreicher’s wife and children in front of the Bolivian Mission to the U.N. to protest human rights violations of the U.S. citizen who has been held through more than a dozen postponed hearings for 13 months.

“The Ostreicher family continues to suffer while Jacob Ostreicher languishes in a prison,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Miriam Ostreicher wants her husband back. Jacob’s children want their father back. We cannot allow this travesty of justice to continue. Bolivia claims to be a democracy governed by laws. Here’s their chance to prove it. They must free Jacob Ostreicher now.”

Ostreicher, 53, was born and raised in Brooklyn. In December, 2010, he invested in land in Bolivia and managed a rice business there until he was arrested on June 3, 2011 by Bolivian officials. Separated from his family, Ostreicher began a hunger strike in April to bring attention to the violation of his human rights. His hearings have been delayed more than a dozen times.

 Also in attendance today were NYS Minority Leader John Sampson, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, NYS Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs, NYS Assemblyman Alan Maisel, NYS Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, NY City Councilman Brad Lander, Chairman of Brooklyn Community Board 12 Yidel Perlstein, and District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 12 Wolf Sender, Councilwoman Letita James