United States-Kosher abattoir scandal.

Prosecutors and attorneys for a kosher meatpacking plant and its former manager are sparring over taking testimony from witnesses before the case goes to trial.

Attorneys for Agriprocessors and former manager Sholom Rubashkin say they’re concerned the witnesses could leave the country. They ask that four material witnesses be compelled to testify before trial, scheduled for September. Agriprocessors and Rubashkin face scores of charges following an immigration raid in Postville last May that arrested 389 people, including the four witnesses.

Agriprocessors also operated a plant near Gordon, Neb., that was not included in the allegations against Rubashkin or the company.