A former Melbourne school principal accused of sexually abusing students will remain behind bars in Israel as a judge considers her move to house arrest.
Malka Leifer faces extradition to Australia on 74 charges of sexually assaulting female students during her time at Melbourne’s ultra-orthodox Adass Israel school.
The 52-year-old fled to Israel in 2008 after the allegations first emerged and the process to extradite her has stalled several times since charges were laid in 2013.
On Wednesday, Judge Rom Vinograd in the Jerusalem District Court ordered Leifer’s release from custody and that she be placed under house arrest. He allowed 48 hours for his decision to be appealed.
Early on Friday (AEST), Supreme Court Justice Anat Baron ordered that Leifer’s release be delayed as she considers appeals made by both the prosecution and defence.
Victim supporter Manny Waks attended the hearing and said he felt “cautiously optimistic” the judge will reverse Leifer’s release.
“I hope and expect that Leifer will remain in prison until the end of proceedings against her,” he said in a statement on Friday.
“Most importantly, Leifer will remain in jail for now.”
The court hearing comes after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews wrote to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, reiterating his view that Leifer must be extradited “in order to face the scrutiny of the criminal justice system in Australia”.
Mr Andrews said the decision to grant bail “defies explanation”.
Read the article by Benita Kovolos in The New Daily.