Rabbi 'not liable' to be sent back to Israel – lawyers

The defence team of internationally sought Israeli fugitive Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who stands accused of running away from Israel, where he is accused of sex crimes, argued last week that he was ‘not liable’ to be sent back to his home country to face the music. A report in The Citizen notes that during proceedings in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, defence attorney Themba Langa said he didn’t think Berland needed to be extradited. Berland (80), who is the leader of the Shuvu Bonim Hassidic sect in Jerusalem, allegedly fled Israel in 2012 after allegations of a sexual nature were made against him by some of his female followers. He was arrested in South Africa two weeks ago. ‘There is no extradition agreement between Israel and SA,’ Langa said. To counter the argument state prosecutor, Deon Barnard, submitted a copy of an extradition request document, regarding the rabbi, which stated that it was from the Ministry of Justice from Israel to the Minister of Justice in South Africa. Earlier Berland’s initial legal representatives notified the court they were no longer representing him. The trial continues.