Police suspect Litzman intervened on behalf of second sex offender

Lahav 433 investigators suspect that Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman used his position to help another sex offender evade punishment, according to reports in Hebrew-language media.

Litzman is suspected of personally coercing a state psychiatrist to list the ultra-Orthodox man serving a jail sentence for sex offenses as eligible for a special rehabilitation program. According to Channel 13 report, the program is reserved for offenders the state believes are ready for counseling and rehabilitation, and can they apply for an early release if they complete the program.

Police are already investigating Litzman, who is suspected of using his position to help an accused sex offender avoid extradition to Australia. Litzman, who heads the United Torah Judaism party, was questioned by police last week on suspicions he sought to obtain a falsified psychiatric report that would have prevented Malka Leifer’s extradition on medical grounds.