Elior Chen Appears Undaunted in Court
Jerusalem - Moments before his remand hearing was scheduled to begin at the Jerusalem Magistrates Court today (Thursday), Elior Chen was seen smiling and at ease.
Despite the heavy suspicions he faces, he responded briefly on camera to questions posed by Channel 2. According to reports, Chen spent his first night in Israeli custody chained to his bed to prevent him from trying to harm himself to avoid standing trial. When asked whether he was still chained to his bed, he looked at the police investigator sitting alongside him and shook his head.
The man suspected of sadistic child abuse told the news channel he was treated well by his jailors. When told he is not considered especially popular among the general public, his reply was tzarot Yisrael.
At the end of the short interview Chen was told that despite the stories of a monster with horns he looked perfectly normal. His smile intact, the suspected child abuser said, Without horns, but with antennas, referring to his peyos.
Chens custody was extended by five days until an indictment is filed, apparently on Monday. Although at this stage it appears Chen will not be charged with attempted murder because the charges were not included in the extradition agreement signed with Brazilian authorities, police investigators said Brazilian authorities might give special authorization to do so.
We are witness to the fact the police have retreated from the attempted murder charges, said Elior Chens defense counsel, Atty. Ariel Atari, who continues to insist his client is completely innocent. The whole truth will come to light when the trial begins, then Chen will tell the whole truth, said Atari.
During the trial proceedings, Chen will face a barrage of testimony against him by both children and adults.
The self-styled rabbi, who referred to himself as Melech Hamoshiach, is suspected of instructing his followers to carry out violent tikkunim against their own children, and in some cases of abusing them himself. The tikkunim included appalling acts such as binding, burning limbs and feeding children feces. One of the children abused by Chens followers has been comatose since the case came to light a year and a half ago.