Published: 12 February 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Israeli police have re-arrested Malka Leifer, the former Melbourne school principal who is wanted in Victoria on 74 charges of child sexual abuse, alleging she faked a mental illness in order to avoid extradition to Australia.
Ms Leifer is accused of sexually abusing several pupils while she was a teacher and principal at the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel girls school in Melbourne. In 2008, when the allegations were first raised, Ms Leifer fled to Israel. She was then arrested by Israel police in 2014 when Australia filed a request for her extradition.
Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer arrested in Israel after fleeing Australia amid sex abuse claims (new.com.au)
Melbourne schoolteacher Malka Leifer has been arrested in Israel 10 years after fleeing Australia where she faced allegations of rape and sex abuse against children
Israel arrests Australian principal suspected of abusing ultra-Orthodox schoolgirls (Haaretz)
Police suspect the woman, who fled to Israel in 2008, pretended to be mentally ill in order to avoid extradition
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