Israeli court rejects extradition of Australian teacher in abuse case

An Israeli court says an Australian woman accused of sex crimes will not be extradited for reasons of mental illness.

Her lawyer says the Jerusalem District Court rejected the prosecution request Tuesday and ruled the suspect, who cannot be named under a gag order, should be dealt with “in the realm of mental illness.”

Yehuda Fried says that likely means a years-long process before her extradition can be reconsidered.

Australia wants the 54-year-old extradited 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 is suspected of obstructing Israeli court proceedings by attempting to hide evidence.

An Israeli court previously stopped extradition proceedings after determining she was not fit to stand trial. Police claimed she was pretending to be mentally ill to avoid extradition.

— AP