Accused abuser Leifer fit for trial
THREE former students of accused child abuser Malka Leifer (pictured) are relieved an Israeli court has finally found the ex-Melbourne principal is mentally fit to face an extradition hearing.
Sisters Elly Sapir, Dassi Erlich and Nicole Meyer have for six years watched Leifer try to use the court system to avoid facing justice.
But yesterday they spoke on the breakthrough in their long-fought battle. The District Court of Jerusalem on Tuesday accepted a psychiatric panel’s unanimous decision Leifer was fit to face a hearing to determine if she should be extradited to Australia.
“This process has really bruised us but it has not broken us,” Ms Erlich said in Melbourne.
Just weeks away from becoming a mother, Ms Sapir said it felt surreal to hear Leifer was fit for the hearing.
“Six years we have been fighting this battle about her mental illness,” Ms Meyer said.
“It took 66 court hearings to hear what we should have heard in court hearing No.1.”
Leifer faces 74 rape and child abuse charges laid in Victoria in 2011, stemming from her time as principal of Melbourne’s Ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School.
Former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu has long campaigned with the sisters and said the process has gone on too long and been too unfair.
“The Israeli justice system has gotten itself back on track,” he said. “These are very, very strong girls and their commitment, their dedication is what’s counted more than anything in this process.”
The Federal Government has lobbied for progress in the case, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison personally raising the issue with Israel.
“I welcome it very much,” Mr Morrison told Sky News yesterday. “This is news we’ve been waiting for for some time and I want to commend all of those who have been campaigning strongly on this.”
“The ultimate day is still a little bit away and hopefully that will be soon.”
Australian Attorney-General Christian Porter said the decision can still be appealed, but it is a “positive sign”.
Leifer’s defence is expected to appeal the court’s decision, meaning the case would then move to the Jerusalem High Court.