Disabled Israeli woman to return home after 2 years of imprisonment in Peru

Hodaya Monsonego, a 24-year-old Israeli woman, who has been held in Peru for two years over suspicion of attempted drug smuggling will be permitted to return to Israel on Friday, according to a television brocast on Tuesday. She was arrested in Lima in 2019 for allegedly assisting in importation of a large amount of cocaine from Peru to Israel. She was imprisoned for a year in Lima, according to Channel 12.

Monsonego's family claims that she is intellectually handicapped and was most likely exploited by a friend and friend's former bror-in-law, who is said to be operation's mastermind. Monsonego's friend, identified as Smar Zohar, invited her on a trip overseas and paid for her airfare, according to family.

Local police officials tracked accused persons since ir arrival in Peru

investigation says that Monsonego never travelled to United States, although believing that was ir objective. Monsonego, Zohar and her nephews travelled from Mrid to Lima, where y remained in a hostel for a few days before returning to airport, presumably to return to Israel. Local police officials, who h been following m since y landed in Peru, apprehended m after discovering a huge amount of cocaine in ir baggage. Monsonego and Zohar were both jailed, and children were returned to Israel to ir parents. Monsonego's siblings claimed she was easily swayed and was frequently exploited by people owing to her cognitive handicap.

Yoni Mellul, Zohar's former bror-in-law is said to be man behind smuggling operation, as per Channel 12 investigation. Mellul approached Zohar and requested her to come to Peru to bring back some luggage, according to a criminal indictment eventually brought against him in Israel. To prevent suspicion, he recommended bringing a friend and be escorted by his children. Mellul allegedly paid for entire trip and oversaw operation from Israel.

Zohar was supposed to fly back to Israel, containing around 20kg of cocaine in suitcases. Mellul has pleed not guilty to charges levelled against him. Monsonego's sister launched a social media campaign in Israel to raise awareness about ir sister's condition, generate donations and put pressure on Israeli authorities to gain her release.

(Image: Twitter/@yairlapid)