Leifer still not cleared to face extradition proceedings
November 28, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
Read on for article
Malka Leifer’s lawyer has told media that his client is in a bad state and unfit to stand trial with proceeding now set down into 2019.
Malka Leifer in court June 14 Photo: Hillel Maeir/TPS
Leifer’s legal team is fighting extradition of Leifer to face 74 charges of child sexual abuse during the time she served as the principal of Adass Yisroel in Melbourne before fleeing in 2008.
Manny Waks reports that the Jerusalem District Court had been a closed court due to the sensitive nature of the discussion regarding Leifer’s alleged mental health issues.
The Court also permitted Leifer not to attend today’s hearing as she is apparently unwell.
The proceedings were centred on the report of one of the district psychiatrists who examined Leifer and found her fit to face court who was cross-examined.0
On 17 January 2019, the two other psychiatrists who examined Leifer will be cross-examined. On 24 January, experts from the defence will give evidence.
Dassi Erlich who travelled from Melbourne to attend the court was allowed into the closed court. Erlich is a survivor of the alleged attacks.
She posted on Facebook: We’ve been told to expect multiple bail appeals during this process due to these adjournments.
We want to trust that Leifer will be found extraditable and all bail requests will be rejected.
Leifer is a flight risk! Leifer cannot hide anymore! We must ensure that Leifer can not re-offend!”
We want to trust that Leifer will be found extraditable and all bail requests will be rejected.
Leifer is a flight risk! Leifer cannot hide anymore! We must ensure that Leifer can not re-offend!”
Manny Waks summarised the comments made by Leifer’s lawyer Yehuda Fried to the media.
He reports the lawyer told the media pack:
– The proceedings are continuing and nothing has changed
– Leifer is in a bad mental state and unfit to stand trial – this is why today’s hearing was behind closed doors
– There is a lot of “Fake News” and irrelevant information out there
– There are laws that allow extraditing someone under certain conditions – these conditions need to be met
– As an experienced defence lawyer, Israel has some of the highest conviction rates
– Australia judged Leifer before even allowing the trial to take place – they are speaking with emotions
– Australian press interviewed me a while back and completely misrepresented what I said
-Claims that she ran away to Israel right after allegations are not true – it was only three years after. It’s a lie.
– Antisemitic organisations may also be celebrating this story
– How can a judge in Australia give a proper judgment after being brainwashed by the media?
-PM Turnbull spoke with Bibi and that tells you everything. That’s all they spoke about. It must be boring in Australia.
– I would be persona non-grata in Australia
– Don’t ask me who is funding the Defence – the question is out of place. I’m told Australians are polite – what kind of question is that?
– No one is in contact with Leifer – essentially only doctors
– Many contradictions from past psychiatric analyses
– These proceedings will go on until at least March 2019
– Leifer is forcibly receiving serious psychiatric medication from the prison services – if she was fine, why would she be forced to take medicine?
The Prosection, headed by Matan Akiba, made some comments to the media, summarised as follows:
– Extradition request itself is pretty simple in terms of the process
– As long as Leifer’s mental state is being discussed, hearings will be closed
– Matan tried to convince the Judge to have the proceedings be open to the public
– Matan is still uncertain how this case is going to develop due to the unprecedented nature of this case
– Today nothing was determined
– Regarding the domestic case (charges that Leifer feigned her illness), nothing has really progressed on that front – but Judge said if Leifer is extraditable there is no public interest to try her on the domestic charges anyway
Manny Waks said: “It’s disappointing that we have further delays in this prolonged case. My heart and thoughts are with the three courageous sisters, Dassi, Nicole and Elly. They deserve justice. Hopefully, we’ll see continued progress in this case, and, most importantly, we hope to see Leifer in Australia facing justice very soon.”
