Leifer: yet another delay
The psychiatric report on Malka Leifer wanted in Australia to face 74 charges of child sex abuse was not available to the Jerusalem District Court expected to rule Leifer’s mental ability to face an extradition hearing.
Malka Leifer, a former school principal, who is wanted on 74 charges of sexual abuse in Melbourne, Australia, is led out of the Jerusalem District Court. Jerusalem, Jun 14, 2018. Photo by Hillel Maeir/TPS
Judge Chana Lomp told the court-room that the psychiatric panel requires more time to check Leifer.
Child sexual abuse advocate Manny Waks reports “apparently the panel was unaware of today’s hearing”.
He added that the psychiatric report is now due by 10 January 2020, and the next hearing will be held on 14 January.
Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler today expressed his concern at yet another delay in the Malka Leifer extradition process.
In September, a District Court determined she must undergo an evaluation to determine if she is fit to face an extradition trial. Leifer appealed the decision, and this appeal was rejected by the Jerusalem Supreme Court earlier this month. In Israel today, a medical panel that examined her claimed it needed more time, and proceedings were delayed until January.
Nicole Meyer, Ellie Sapper, Dassi Erlich
“The Jewish community is frustrated that today marks yet another delay”, said Mr Leibler. “Leifer has been allowed to carry on this farce for way too long. She needs to return to Australia to face trial. The Jewish community stands with the survivors and their campaign to bring Malka Leifer back to Australia to face justice.”
Survivor of Leifer’s alleged abuse Dassi Erlich posted on behalf of herself and her two sisters Nicole Meyer and Ellie Sapper also alleged victims: “We feel sick with anxiety.
3 months waiting for this day.
Adjourned to Jan 14 because the psychiatrists were unaware of the hearing today.
Who didn’t get the memo? Was this intentional?
Another nerve-wracking month.
Will it actually go ahead?
How much longer can we hold on??
We don’t understand why this happening, but it doesn’t make sense.”
Israel needs to sort itself out. It’s a disgrace this alleged paedophile has not already been deported to Australia.