Jerusalem: A two-day hearing in the Jerusalem District Court, which featured the cross-examination of psychiatrists in the ongoing case against alleged child sex abuser Malka Leifer, has come to a close.
Three psychiatrists were cross-examined in total, all of whom had previously deemed Leifer fit to face extradition trial.
The closed-court hearing is one in 65 of the nearly decade-long saga to bring Leifer back to Australia to face 74 charges of rape and child abuse.
The charges stem from her time as principal at Melbourne’s Ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School.
One of the three sisters who have pressed charges against Leifer flew from Australia at the last minute this week to be present at the hearings.
“I feel it was very important for me to be present at these hearings, and I’m glad I came, despite the difficulties,” the woman said in a statement released following the court hearing on Thursday.
The mother of four said she planned to attend as many hearings as possible until Leifer was sent back to Australia.
“Being in court is challenging. Not having a direct voice in the courtroom, and not understanding the language, has added to the complexity of my experience,” she said.
“But I’m grateful for the support and assistance I’ve received from so many, especially from those who have personally attended the lengthy hearings.”
Read the article by Tessa Fox in WAToday.