Published: 3 April 2023
Last updated: 5 March 2024
It took 15 years, more than 60 extradition hearings and massive determination but yesterday Malka Leifer was found guilty. Here is how it happened.
2003 - 2006: Alleged abuse of Nicole Meyer at Adass Israel School in Melbourne.
2004 - 2006: Abuse of Dassi Erlich
2006 - 2007: Abuse of Elly Sapper
March 2008: Allegations first surface that Leifer abused students. Leifer is dismissed from her position as principal of the Adass Israel school and flees to Israel.
August 2014: Leifer is arrested in Israel and placed under house arrest. Campaign begins to have her extradited to Australia for trial.
September 2015: Dassi Erlich receives $1.27m in damages from Adass Israel in a civil case after the other sisters receive confidential settlements.
June 2016: The first of more than 60 extradition hearings is held in Israel. The judge rules Leifer is unfit to stand trial and she is released.
February 2018: Leifer is re-arrested in Israel.
March 2018: Court releases Leifer from house arrest into custody of rabbi. Ruling is overturned by Supreme Court and Leifer is returned to house arrest.
July 2019: Medical committee rules Leifer faked medical condition to avoid extradition
September 2019: Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Deputy Health Minister Yaacov Litzman is accused of using his office to protect Leifer. More than 2000 Australian Jews sign a The Jewish Independent petition calling for the sacking of Litzman. He is subsequently indicted for breach of trust and signs a plea deal.
October 2019: Judge orders Leifer be kept in jail and extradition be sped up.
September 2020: Israeli court gives Leifer extradition order. Leifer appeals.
December 2020: Extradition appeal is rejected.
January 2021: Leifer is extradited to Australia and arrives in Melbourne, shortly before borders close due to Covid.
September 2021: Committal hearing is held in the County Court of Victoria and Leifer is remanded for trial.
February 2023: Leifer trial begins. She pleads not guilty to 29 charges, subsequently reduced to 27 as two incidents occurred before relevant laws came into effect.
April 2023: Leifer is found guilty on 18 counts.
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Malka Leifer found guilty of rape and indecent assault (The Jewish Independent)
Photo: Leifer is led into court during one of 60 extradition hearings in Israel.
