Guatemalan Authorities Rescue Minors from Alleged Abuse in Extremist Jewish Sect

Guatemalan authorities rescued about 200 individuals from the extremist Lev Tahor sect amid serious abuse allegations, including forced marriages and child neglect.

Guatemala’s Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a daring search and rescue operation at the Lev Tahor compound, an ultra-orthodox Jewish sect often criticized for its uncompromising beliefs.

This decisive action came in response to alarming reports of abuse within the group, ultimately resulting in the protective custody of around 40 women and 160 children.

In a chilling twist, authorities also discovered the remains of at least one child, intensifying scrutiny over the sect’s practices.

Background on Lev Tahor

Lev Tahor, founded in Jerusalem in 1988 by Shlomo Helbrans, made its way to Guatemala in 2013 and relocated to the small village of El Amatillo in the Santa Rosa department in 2016, after facing raids in Guatemala City.

Over the years, the group has drawn increasing attention and criticism for its operations.

Investigation and Allegations

The investigation took flight after eleven minors, who had managed to escape the sect, brought forth urgent complaints on November 11.

As authorities delved deeper, disturbing allegations emerged, including reports of coerced marriages, child abuse, sexual assault, and various other criminal acts within the sect’s confines.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, a deputy commissioner from the National Civil Police was detained for allegedly leaking confidential information to a high-ranking Lev Tahor member.

Previous Claims and Group’s Response

These troubling accusations against Lev Tahor are not new; the group has faced similar claims in the past.

A court in Mexico previously issued arrest orders for certain members amid separate child abuse investigations.

Additionally, in 2022, two individuals associated with Lev Tahor were convicted in a New York court on kidnapping charges related to the unlawful transport of minors from the U.S. to Mexico.

Despite the mounting evidence, Lev Tahor continues to maintain that these allegations are baseless, asserting that the investigation by Guatemalan officials is a form of persecution against them.

Following the recent intervention, representatives from the Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that their efforts were purely aimed at addressing the abuse claims, without any underlying anti-religious or discriminatory motives.

Source: Jurist