Israel orders psychiatric evaluation for detained Australian

The Jerusalem District Court orders that an Australian woman accused of sex crimes be placed under psychiatric evaluation until further notice.

The judge this morning says that the woman will remain in custody while the district psychiatrist determines whether she is fit to stand trial.

Australia wants the 54-year-old extradited. She is wanted in Australia for sexually abusing children while she was a teacher at a local school.

She was arrested following an undercover investigation at Interpol’s request and was arrested Monday on suspicion of obstructing court proceedings by attempting to hide evidence.

An Israeli court previously stopped extradition proceedings after determining she was not fit to stand trial. But police say they have indications she was pretending to be suffering from a mental illness to avoid extradition.

— AP