Former Melbourne principal and accused child abuser Malka Leifer loses extradition appeal in Israel
A former Melbourne principal facing 74 charges of sexual abuse is one step closer to fronting court on home soil after losing an extradition appeal in Israel.
Israel’s Supreme Court has rejected the extradition appeal of former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer, placing her one step closer to facing dozens of child sex abuse charges in Australia.
The legal bid was a last resort for Leifer in her efforts to stop her extradition.
“Since the petition was filed, it appears that there is no proceeding that the appellant has not taken and that there is no claim that she missed, in an attempt to prevent her extradition,” Supreme Court Judge Anat Baron ruled on Tuesday.
“As is well known, extradition agreements signed by the State of Israel, the purpose of which is international co-operation for the eradication of crime, must be respected, and anyone who seeks to escape himself will know by law that he will not find a city of refuge in Israel.”
Dassi Erlich, one of Leifer’s alleged victims, said it was a “staggering conclusion to 74 court hearings”.
“Only one more step – Justice Minister Nissenkorn‘s signature and Leifer is on the plane to Australia.”
Ms Erlich, and her sisters Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper have accused Leifer of abusing them while they were students at a Melbourne ultra-Orthodox school.
But Leifer maintains her innocence and has battled against her extradition for the past six years.
Israel’s Justice Minister Nissenkorn said on Twitter he intends to sign the order “without delay”.
“After long and tormenting years, the time has come to do justice with Leifer’s victims,” he wrote.
Leifer is wanted on 74 child sex abuse charges over acts allegedly committed against her students at the Adass Israel School in Melbourne’s inner southeast more than a decade ago.
In September, a Jerusalem court approved her extradition to Australia after the country’s highest court upheld a ruling that she was mentally fit to stand trial.
Earlier this year an Israeli psychiatric panel determined Leifer lied about suffering a mental condition which allegedly made her unfit to stand trial.
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!
— Dassi Erlich #bringleiferback (@dassi_erlich) December 15, 2020
EXTRADITION APPEAL HAS BEEN DENIED!!
A STAGGERING CONCLUSION TO 74 COURT HEARINGS!
Only one more step - Justice Minister Nissenkorn's signature and Leifer is on the plane to Australia!!! #nomoreisraelicourtrooms
Australian Attorney-General Christian Porter said the decision of the Israel Supreme Court was “welcome news, particularly for alleged victims in Australia”.
“The allegations against Ms Leifer are very serious and the Australian Government remains strongly committed to ensuring that justice is served in this case, so that Ms Leifer is extradited to Australia in order to stand trial on the 74 counts of child sexual abuse against her,” Mr Porter said in a statement.
“Although this latest development is a significant step forward — possibly the most positive steps thus far — in what has been a long process, there are still steps to be undertaken in Israel.
“Nevertheless this is a significant milestone which should provide alleged victims some hope that this part of the process to bring Ms Leifer to justice in Australia is edging closer to a conclusion.”
Malka Leifer's appeal against extradition has been denied.
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) December 15, 2020
And soon, we hope, she'll be returned to Victoria to face these allegations – as she should.
The fight for justice has been long and painful.
But it's now one step closer for these brave young women and their families.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also took to Twitter to welcome the news.
“Malka Leifer‘s appeal against extradition has been denied. And soon, we hope, she’ll be returned to Victoria to face these allegations – as she should,” he wrote.
“The fight for justice has been long and painful. But it’s now one step closer for these brave young women and their families.”