Orthodox Jews protest autopsy

JERUSALEM, July 3 (UPI) -- Orthodox Jews rioted in Jerusalem in a violent protest Thursday against plans to perform an autopsy on the body of a rabbi's wife found strangled in her home.

Ziona Samin, 62, is believed to have been killed during a burglary Wednesday, Ynetnews.com reported. Her husband found the body when he returned home.

Orthodox Jews believe that funerals should be held promptly after death, usually within a day, and that bodies should be interred without being violated.

The State Prosecutor's Office requested the autopsy, arguing that it is necessary to make sure that Samin died by strangulation.

Her family has protested, arguing that an external examination of the body would be adequate. Protesters gathered Thursday as the family appealed to the High Court, blocking one street and throwing stones at a passing police car.

"The funeral date has been postponed three times already," Tal-Or Atari, the dead woman's son-in-law, said. "Rabbi Samin is caving under the pressure of the events and has had to be treated."

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