Court rules alleged serial pedophile Malka Leifer mentally fit for extradition

In a pivotal ruling, the Jerusalem District Court has determined that alleged serial pedophile Malka Leifer is mentally fit for extradition to Australia, where she is charged with 74 counts of child sex abuse.

“I decided to accept the expert panel’s opinion,” Judge Chana Miriam Lomp says, referring to a psychiatric board that unanimously ruled in January that Leifer has been feigning mental illness in order to avoid extradition to Australia, and which assessed her as fit to stand trial.

Malka Leifer (YouTube screenshot)

Dassi Erlich, an alleged victim of Liefer and one of three women who have led a public campaign demanding her extradition, writes to The Times of Israel from her home in Melbourne: “This is huge.”

She adds: “Too many emotions to process! …This abusive woman has been exploiting Israeli courts for 6 years! Intentionally creating obstacles, endless vexatious arguments — only lengthening our ongoing trauma.”

If you wish to refresh your memory about the Leifer saga, here is a January piece on the psychiatric board’s decision.

— Jacob Magid

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