Following a precedent-setting extradition process approved by a court in El Salvador, investigation teams from the Jerusalem Fraud Unit embarked on a complex, over 30-hour journey to bring the suspect to Israel, with the assistance of Interpol and several international police forces.
Upon his arrival in Israel last night, the suspect was taken for questioning at the Jerusalem District’s Central Unit offices. This evening, after the Sabbath, he was brought before the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court for a hearing on the police’s request to extend his detention. Subsequently, an amended indictment is expected to be filed against him by the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office.
The "Lev Tahor" case, investigated for years by the Jerusalem Fraud Unit, involves the cult’s activities and severe harm to defenseless minors, recently officially classified as victims of human trafficking.
In 2020, the suspect, one of the cult’s leaders, was arrested in Israel. At that time, upon his arrival, he was indicted by the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office but was later released to house arrest by the court and shortly thereafter fled the country.
In recent years, representatives of the Jerusalem Fraud Unit traveled to Guatemala to strengthen cooperation with local authorities. A raid by Guatemalan security forces on the cult’s compound resulted in the rescue of dozens of victims.
Recently, a significant breakthrough was achieved when the suspect was arrested in El Salvador, where he had fled after another escape attempt from Guatemala. The International Department of the State Attorney’s Office submitted an official extradition request, and in a precedent-setting decision, the El Salvador court approved his extradition to Israel.
The Israel Police will continue to act resolutely, in collaboration with law enforcement and welfare agencies in Israel and worldwide, to bring those involved in this serious case to justice and to assist victims wherever and whenever they may be.
