Accused Pedophile Malka Leifer Fit to Stand Trial, Israeli Court Rules, Renewing Extradition Process
The Jerusalem District Court ruled Tuesday that accused pedophile Malka Leifer is mentally fit to stand trial, in effect renewing a stalled extradition process to Australia.
The date for Leifer's next court session is slated for July 20, the court announced. Her attorney, Tal Gabay, said the decision raises "some doubts," as the defense team is expected to appeal it.
The Australian government welcomed the new development in a long-running affair that has put a strain on relations between the two countries.
Elly Sapper, left, Dassi Erlich and Nicole Meyer outside Jerusalem District Court, March 2019.Olivier Fitoussi
Leifer fled to Israel in 2008 after being indicted in Australia on 74 counts of rape and sexual assault. She was located by the Israel Police in 2014 and has since claimed that she is mentally unfit to stand trial, halting her extradition process.
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– Dassi Erlich’s tweet.
OMG!!
JUDGE RULED LEIFER IS MENTALLY FIT TO STAND TRIAL!
This abusive woman has been exploiting Israeli courts for 6 years! Intentionally creating obstacles, endless vexatious arguments – only lengthening our ongoing trauma!
Too many emotions to process!!! This is huge!
— Dassi Erlich #bringleiferback (@dassi_erlich) May 26, 2020
A tweet by Dassi Erlich, one of Leifer’s alleged victims.
Leifer is accused of sexually abusing three sisters who were her students while she served as the headmistress of a Jewish school in Australia. She is currently held in custody in Israel amid an ongoing extradition battle that has strained relations between the two countries.
Dassi Erlich, one of Leifer's victims, celebrated the ruling on Twitter, "Too many emotions to process!!! This is huge!" She wrote. "This abusive woman has been exploiting Israeli courts for 6 years! Intentionally creating obstacles, endless vexatious arguments – only lengthening our ongoing trama!"
Minister Ya’akov Litzman, last week at Knesset.Alex Kolomoisky
Australia's attorney general greeted the announcement as "positive news," saying "the Australian Government remains strongly committed to ensuring that justice is served in this case."