Alleged child-abusing rabbi reaches Israel

JERUSALEM, Oct. 28 (UPI) --

A self-styled Jewish rabbi accused of ordering his followers to abuse children, landed in Israel Wednesday after being extradited from Brazil.

Elior Chen, 29, apprehended by Brazilian police in Sao Paulo in June, was accused of abusing 3- and 4-year-old brothers, who were rushed to a hospital in March 2008 in serious condition. Prosecutors say Chen advised the boys' parents to beat them severely to "correct their corrupt souls."

Chen was taken from the airport to a Jerusalem police station, Ynetnews.com reported.

At the police station, Chen's attorney, Ariel Atari, said he was waiting to see what charges were filed against his client.

"In any case, these things never happened," Chen said. "(Chen) will look at them during the probe, listen to them, and that's it. He will say whatever he has to say at court."

Officials say the parents used hammers, knives and other instruments to attack the children.

Chen fled Israel to Canada and from there to Brazil in 2008 when allegations against him became known. Police in Sao Paulo detained him after an international arrest warrant was issued.


Copyright 2009 by United Press International
All Rights Reserved.

Times of the Internet, now in Spanish


Published: Wednesday 28th of October 2009 03:26:44 PM
Print | Email Friend |
Receive updates via Twitter

Like this article? Then submit it to your favorite social network to share with others.
Bookmark and Share
Subscribe to World RSS Feed: rss feed world
Read more news stories in world.
View all posts tagged: Israel

Related products: Israeli Palestinian Conflict

Read the last five articles tagged Israel

Read the last five articles in the WORLD category