Abusive Rabbis Remand Extended, Efrat Weiss, YNet News, October 29, 2009

"Abusive Rabbi's" Remand Extended

By Efrat Weiss
YNet News
October 29, 2009

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3797325,00.html

Chen at remand hearing
Photo by Gil Yohanan

Day after arriving in Israel from Brazil, remand of self-proclaimed rabbi Elior Chen suspected of instructing followers to abuse children, extended by eight days. Police announce plans to charge him with attempted murder, present evidence they say supports this clause

After being questioned by police Wednesday night, the remand of so-called 'abusive rabbi' Elior Chen, suspected of instructing his followers to abuse their children, was extended by eight days by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Justice Yitzhak Shimoni ruled that there was a risk of disruption of proceedings and a flight risk. Chen's lawyer, Ariel Atari said in response, "There is no flight risk. Chen has never violated a court order. He left the country before he was summoned for questioning."

At the remand hearing on Thursday, police attributed to Chen charges of attempted murder and submitted evidence to the court they say supports this clause.

Chen was seen grinning from ear-to-ear before the session, and said, "Injustice has been done."

The police's representative said at the hearing there were serious suspicions against Chen regarding deeds he committed against children fro a number of months. The police's representatives said he, along with others, abused and injured children to the point of hospitalization and medical treatment.

The police also claimed that Chen frequently threatened children, saying he would hurt them if they did not do his bidding and behave as he saw fit, and in many cases he did indeed hurt them.

Chen wouldn't stop grinning before the hearing, and was joined by his family who came to show their support. Chen's father Yaakov said, "We are glad he is back in Israel. I wish the children a speedy recovery, my heart aches (for them). I believe in a fair trial, but not in the police. In the end, it will all come out, the entire truth."

Chen's mother, Vivian said, "My son is innocent. There is a court that will decide. God willing, you will be strong as I have raised you."

Chen landed in Israel Wednesday afternoon after a 14-hour flight from Brazil, from which he was extradited. He was transferred to a Jerusalem police station where he was questioned.

Jerusalem Police's Zion District Commander Brig. Gen. Bruno Stein said on Wednesday, "We attribute to Elior Chen personal involvement in the abuse acts – the harm of children in a sadistic manner. His extradition and his return to Israel was a big issue for us. We went through a difficult time, and there is much satisfaction in his return to Israel and his prosecution."

Speaking to journalists at the police station, attorney Ariel Atari said he is waiting to see the charges attributed to his client. "In any case, these things never happened," he said.