Elior Chen Extradited To Israel
Sao Paulo, Brazil- Elior Chen, the self-styled rabbi who allegedly influenced some of his followers to abuse their children in order to "correct their corrupt souls," was extradited to Israel overnight Tuesday.
According to police, Chen will land in Israel at 2:45 p.m., accompanied by Brazilian and Israeli officers. He will then be transferred in a Jerusalem District Police vehicle to the Russian Compound for questioning.
Police are expected to request a remand extension on Wednesday morning.
The 29-year-old Beitar Ilit resident fled to Brazil more than a year ago after a terrifying affair of child abuse in a haredi family in Jerusalem was exposed.
He was apprehended by Brazilian police on a residential street in Sao Paolo in June.
Chen's alleged crimes came to light after two brothers, an unconscious three-year-old and his four-and-a-half-year-old brother, were rushed to the hospital on March 12, 2008 in serious condition.
According to prosecutors, Chen instructed the mother of the family and others to beat the children severely, saying this would mend their behavior. The two children were reportedly beaten with hammers, knives and other instruments. Their mother, who agreed to a plea bargain, said those were just some of the crimes.
Chen will likely be charged with abusing minors, soliciting to abuse minors, assaulting minors and conspiracy to commit a crime.
However, the prosecution may drop several of the charges in compliance with the extradition agreement.
According to Israeli newspaper Marraiv Chen boarded the aircraft before the rest of the passengers accompanied by an Israeli detective. He tried to injure himself, began ranting and screaming, yelling the extradition was not legal, prompting local policemen to forcefully sit him down in his seat.
Brazilian TV reporting on the capture of Chen in June.