Israel seeks extradition of rabbi from Canada, suspects man in child abuse
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Police say they have begun extradition proceedings against an Israeli rabbi who fled to Canada after being suspected of abusing the children of one of his followers.
Rabbi Elior Chen and his followers are suspected of abusing two children, aged 3 and 4, who were burned and severely beaten with hammers, knives and other instruments, police say. The 3-year-old suffered permanent brain damage.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says the rabbi hasn't been charged with a crime. But he says Chen is a suspect and "definitely connected" to the abuse. The children's mother has already been charged with abuse.
Rosenfeld says Chen fled to Canada in the past few days. Officials at the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv were not immediately available for comment Monday.