"We're studying the decision at the moment. We've agreed with Dutch authorities that he won't be arrested at this point, so he could continue wandering freely in the Netherlands. We intend to file an appeal that will be in court in a few months. We also intend to turn to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, and we'll await an answer to the appeal. We're still confident that our arguments are good arguments and the rabbi shouldn't be extradited to Israel."
Above: Rabbi Eliezer Berland in handcuffs in Zimbabwe in April 2014
Hasidic “Sex Pest” Rabbi Can Be Extradited To Israel, Dutch Court Rules; Rabbi To File Case With The European Court Of Human Rights
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
He fled from country to country for almost two years. He was kicked out of Morocco and arrested and deported from Zimbabwe before being arrested in Holland, and then falsely told a Dutch court he was a Holocaust survivor in order to try to avoid extradition.
But today a court in the Netherlands ruled that Breslov hasidic leader Rabbi Eliezer Berland can be extradited Israel to face police questioning there over the alleged sexual abuse committed by Berland against several young female followers, most married women but at least one an underage girl. The final decision on the extradition will reportedly be made by Netherlands' Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten sometime in the next few weeks.
"We're studying the decision at the moment," Berland’s attorney Sharon Nahari told Ynet. "We've agreed with Dutch authorities that he won't be arrested at this point, so he could continue wandering freely in the Netherlands. We intend to file an appeal that will be in court in a few months. We also intend to turn to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, and we'll await an answer to the appeal. We're still confident that our arguments are good arguments and the rabbi shouldn't be extradited to Israel."
Berland has been free on bail since a day after his arrest in September, only days before Rosh Hashana.
"All of a sudden two policemen came and told me I was under arrest. The police in Israel are persecuting me,” Berland told Ynet.
Several top leaders of Berland’s Shuvu Banim sect have been arrested on money laundering and corruption charges and many of Berland’s followers have trashed local apaprtment complexes, public parks and guest houses as they have followed Berland on his flight from justice. Along the way, newspapers and other news media have dubbed the 77-year-old Berland the "sex pest rabbi."
Related Posts:
All Rabbi Eliezer Berland Posts.
[Hat Tip: Rebitzman.]