Litzman convicted over Malka Leifer extradition case, as part of plea deal

The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court convicts veteran ultra-Orthodox politician Yaakov Litzman of breach of trust as part of a plea deal over his involvement in the Malka Leifer sexual abuse case.

The former United Torah Judaism leader, a 23-year veteran of the Knesset and former minister, resigned his seat last week as part of the plea deal, which saw him confess to trying to prevent the accused pedophile from being extradited to Australia.

His plea bargain, which has come under public criticism as a sweetheart deal that is expected to drop an obstruction of justice charge, excludes prison time for the lawmaker and carries a nominal fine of NIS 2,800 ($865). It also does not include the designation of moral turpitude, which would have blocked Litzman from Knesset office for seven years.