Guatemalan Authorities Arrest Alleged Members of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Sect in Child Sex Abuse Investigation
Background
Guatemalan authorities have arrested three Americans and a Canadian, alleged members of an ultra-orthodox Jewish sect under investigation for child sex abuse, the police and prosecutors said on Wednesday.
Raid and Arrests
The arrests late Tuesday followed a raid on a farm run by members of the Lev Tahor sect in Oratorio, southeast of Guatemala City, from where 160 children were rescued in December. The raid, which involved the skeleton of a minor, was based on allegations of forced pregnancy, mistreatment of minors, and rape, according to the public prosecutor’s office.
Sect’s Accusations of Persecution
Lev Tahor, which practices an ultra-Orthodox form of Judaism in which women wear black tunics covering them from head to toe, have accused authorities of religious persecution. Members of the sect settled in Guatemala in 2013. Authorities estimate that the community is made up of roughly 50 families from Guatemala, the United States, and Canada.
Previous Incidents
After the December raid, relatives belonging to the sect broke into a care center trying to retrieve the children taken. The minors were recovered by authorities and placed under protection. Two other US members of the sect, one of them believed to be a leader, were arrested in Guatemala on January 30 on allegations of forcing minors to marry. A week earlier, police also detained an Israeli member of the sect wanted by Mexico for human trafficking.
Charges and Interpol Notice
The arrested individuals are accused of abuse of minors, with Chaim Malka, 24, facing additional charges of human trafficking and forced pregnancy. Interpol had also issued a red notice for the four, police said.
Conclusion
The Guatemalan authorities’ actions demonstrate their commitment to protecting the rights of children and ensuring that those responsible for abuse are held accountable. The investigation is ongoing, and it is crucial that the authorities continue to work to bring justice to those affected by this alleged abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who were the individuals arrested?
A: Three Americans (Nissen Yehuda Malka, 27, Yoel Goldman, 26, and Chaim Malka, 24) and a Canadian (Dinkel Avrohom, 33) were arrested.
Q: Why were they arrested?
A: They were arrested on allegations of child sex abuse, including forced pregnancy, mistreatment of minors, and rape.
Q: What is the background of the Lev Tahor sect?
A: Lev Tahor is an ultra-orthodox Jewish sect that practices a form of Judaism in which women wear black tunics covering them from head to toe. They settled in Guatemala in 2013.
Q: Have there been previous incidents involving the sect?
A: Yes, in December, 160 children were rescued from a farm run by the sect, and two other US members were arrested in January on allegations of forcing minors to marry.