Israel's State Prosecutor’s International Department
submitted an extradition request on Sunday to authorities in El Salvador for
Elazar Rompler, one of the leaders of the extremist Haredi cult "Lev
Tahor," who was arrested last month in Central America.
According to the Justice Ministry, the request is based on a
2020 indictment against Rompler, accusing him of severe physical and
psychological abuse of two minors between 2009 and 2011, as well as aggravated
assault, in connection with his role in the sect.
Due to the serious charges, a hearing was scheduled at the
Jerusalem District Court in December 2020. However, Rompler fled to Guatemala
using a forged passport.
The indictment describes Rompler, a former school principal
within the "Lev Tahor" community, as having committed serious abuse
against minors while the sect was based in Canada. His attorney notified
prosecutors in 2020 that Rompler had fled the country to Guatemala, despite a
travel ban imposed on him.
According to the indictment, Rompler severely beat two
students at the school he ran in Canada. In one case, he suspected a student of
stealing money from charity funds. As punishment, the child was tied to a table
to prevent movement. Rompler and another teacher allegedly beat him for hours
using a belt and a stick, while the child cried, screamed for help, and begged
them to stop. As a result, the child was unable to stand and had to be carried
home.
In another incident, Rompler suspected a student of lying.
He and other teachers gathered the schoolchildren and announced that one of
them had lied and needed to confess. When no one spoke up, the student was tied
to a table and whipped for about an hour as Rompler and other staff members
looked on.
The Justice Ministry stated that Rompler’s arrest was made
possible last month after Israel issued a red notice through Interpol following
his escape. The International Department of the State Prosecutor’s Office has
worked throughout to secure his arrest and return. The extradition request aims
to bring Rompler back to Israel to stand trial for the charges against him.
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