Busted! Fleeing Hasidic Rabbi Nabbed in Amsterdam after Almost 2-year Chase

By Shmarya Rosenberg
Failed Messiah
September 12, 2014

http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2014/09/busted-fleeing-hasidic-rabbi-nabbed-in-amsterdam-after-almost-2-year-chase-567.html

He ran for almost two years but in the end he could hide from the law no longer.

Breslov Shuvu Banim hasidic leader Rabbi Eliezer Berland has finally been arrested.

After hopping from country to country, seeking refuge from law in places like Morocco, Zimbabwe and South Africa, Berland was arrested early today in Amsterdam’s international airport, Arutz Sheva reported.

The now 77-year-old Berland allegedly sexually abused several of his female followers, at least one of whom was a minor at the time of the alleged abuse. He fled Israel almost two years ago after learning police were about to detain him.

Berland went first to places like the US, Italy and Switzerland but then moved on to more exotic locations without extradition treaties with Israel.

An international arrest warrant for Berland was reportedly issued earlier this summer.

Police in South Africa tried to arrest Berland at least twice in the past few weeks, but his followers managed to hide Berland at last minute and told Israeli reporters just days ago that they were planning on smuggling Berland to Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s grave in Uman, Ukraine for Rosh Hashana, which takes place later this month.

Even on the run from law, Berland was surrounded by dozens and even hundreds of loyal disciples – many of whom are ex-cons from Israel.