Attacking preschool children and putting women into the fire: The horrors of the cult revealed in Jerusalem

The court extended seven days to arrest the suspect for conducting a cult, which allegedly held dozens of women in slavery conditions: "physical and mental control." It is suspected that he also attacked children and had a relationship with a subordinate's daughter. On the other hand, his lawyer claimed he was careful not to be alone with women. More arrests are expected

Attacking preschool children and putting women into the fire: The horrors of the cult revealed in Jerusalem

The Sect in Jerusalem - Latest Updates:

• Police arrested a 60-year-old suspect and nine women in a midrash in the Bukharan neighborhood of Jerusalem
• In the Midrash, where some 50 women lived, sexual exploitation and possession of slavery were committed.
• Judge: "The suspect had physical and mental control over the seminar girls"
• Police Representative: The women's fingers were set on fire to understand what the hell it was

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended the arrest of the suspect in a sect in Jerusalem on Monday. The suspect, about 60, was arrested during a police raid on a school in the Bukharan neighborhood of the city, along with nine other women who lived at the scene. It is suspected that a sexual exploitation of the women living in the midrash was estimated to be 50, which is estimated to be 50.

The offenses attributed to him are possession of slavery, conspiracy to commit crime, assaulting a minor and causing sabotage, on a woman's cause and possession. It is also suspected that in his home there was also a kindergarten, which he managed while attacking children. He is also suspected of having sexual and intimate relationships with one of the seminary girls who was subject to him and obeyed his instructions, and was therefore suspected of being raped by a cleric.

"The evidentiary infrastructure underpins reasonable suspicion. Examining the material shows that the respondent had physical and mental control over the seminar girls," Justice Elazar Bialin noted. He further said that these were numerous offenses over a prolonged period, so there is a cause of arrest. The judge denied the suspect's attorney's request to ban the publication of his name, but delayed the publication by 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Detained women are attributed similar offenses, except on grounds, and are also suspected of disrupting court proceedings. Police are seeking to extend their detention for five days. In addition, further arrests are expected and police are gathering more evidence.

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The house where the cult was suspected (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

Suspect of sectarian activity in Jerusalem: Man and 9 women arrested, January 13, 2020 (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

According to police, the incident began in reports reached by the Jerusalem District Fraud and Economic Crime Unit, which raised suspicion of a community operating in the midst of a women's seminar that lives with their children in urgent and crowded housing complexes. This is when the head of the seminar is a person who is suspected of committing various crimes against them and their children for many years. The investigation found that the suspected man took various punitive steps toward the women, and the money they earned from their work, which was approved by the suspect, was passed into his pocket.

The police representative said during the hearing that the incident began two months ago, following a complaint by the Israeli Center for Victims of Cults. According to him, testimony was also collected from women who were in the cult, relatives and representatives of the state. "Girls who were recruited at first were treated well and thought they had found their home but at a time when they were already in the class with the suspect and his associates, they were taught to cancel their personal desires, detach from family and friends," the police representative said.

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House in Jerusalem where the cult was suspected (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

Suspect of sectarian activity in Jerusalem: Man and 9 women arrested, January 13, 2020 (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

He added that there were many lessons dealing with hell and intimidation. Among other things, there is evidence that they put the women's fingers in the fire to understand what hell is. At this stage, the police are working together with welfare agencies to provide an initial response to the treatment of minors as well as the examination of the residential complex. A few years ago, the police raided the scene, but the investigation closed.

Before the court hearing, the suspect said: "Everything is rubbish, never was created, the police stop and the judges will release. These are little troubles, no one believes that is true. The minors at home may be my grandchildren who have come to visit." Attorney Gabi Trunshvili, who is representing him, said the suspect said he was being investigated for similar suspicions, and no charges were filed against him. He says he only volunteers there to deliver lessons and makes sure not to be alone with women.

House in Jerusalem where the cult was suspected (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

Suspect of sectarian activity in Jerusalem: Man and 9 women arrested, January 13, 2020 (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)