PRINCIPAL Accused of Sex Charges at Victorian School Allowed to Stay in Israel

9 News
June 3, 2016

http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/06/02/20/43/accused-vic-pedophile-walks-free-in-israel

Malka Leifer was deemed mentally unfit to be extradited. (Supplied)

A Jerusalem judge has ruled former principal of Adass Israel School Malka Leifer is mentally unfit to be extradited back to Australia to face 74 child sex charges, instead lifting her house arrest and allowing her to stay in the country.

Leifer is wanted by Victorian police for charges of indecent assault and rape allegedly involving girls at the Elsternwick school, after accusations were first raised in 2008.

Jerusalem District Court judge Amnon Cohen ruled yesterday that Leifer would receive outpatient treatment in Jerusalem after a report from the district psychiatrist found she was not mentally fit to face an extradition trial.

Leifer's treatment in a Jerusalem clinic would begin next week and would last initially for six months.

She would receive up to five treatments during that time until a committee would assess whether she is fit to stand trial.

The court ruled this process could go on for up to 10 years. If the committee continually finds she is unfit to stand trial she may evade her extradition trial indefinitely.

Jewish Community Watch representative Shana Aaronson said she was shocked by the judge's ruling.

"Disappointed isn't really a strong enough word - for the victims in Australia this has dragged on and on for them and it's horrible," she said.

Aaronson was also worried Leifer may reoffend in Israel, given she would no longer be under house arrest.

"The thought they will put a predator right back into the community is insane," she said

The move has also sparked outrage with officials. The Ambassador of Australia to Israel Dave Sharma told the ABC they would persist with the process.

“We are determined to be patient and persevere to this end with the view to seeing her extradited,” Mr Sharma said.

One of the alleged victims told the ABC she was horrified by the outcome.

“How can it be that she is not fit enough to stand trial but she only has to go to the psychologist once a month,” she queried.

“It’s mindboggling. I’ve lost all hope that she will face justice.”

Israeli prosecutors Avital Ribner Oron challenged her medical claims at hearings earlier this year.

During 10 court hearings in Jerusalem, Leifer has yet to appear - maintaining she faces anxiety each time a hearing approaches.

Manny Waks, who heads an organisation aiming to prevent sexual abuse in Jewish communities, said Leifer's victims "feel outraged, devastated and completely let down by Israel's legal system.

"They are also fearful of bumping into her on the street."

Several of Leifer's victims are living in Israel.

"It seems obvious that if Leifer is so unwell that she can't even attend court, she needs to be in a psychiatric ward. And when she's well enough, she should be brought before the court to face the long-overdue extradition hearing.

"This will ensure both justice for the alleged victims and the safety of Israel's children," Waks said.

Leifer headed Adass Israel School from 2003 until 2008 when she fled Australia.