Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman appears to have abused his powers to prevent the extradition of an alleged child abuser Malka Leifer, the Israel Police said on Tuesday, adding that there was sufficient evidence to go to trial.
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Australia wants Leifer extradited for allegedly sexually abusing children while working as a principal in an ultra-Orthodox school in Melbourne. Prosecutors say she is feigning mental illness to dodge extradition.
The investigation into Litzman's conduct focused on his alleged efforts to use his influence as deputy health minister to get a psychiatric evaluation stating she was unfit to stand trial, including by pressuring mental health officials.
Litzman's ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party is a key coalition partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that Litzman acted "for the sake of citizens, with complete transparency, and according to the law."
A decision on whether to indict Litzman is now at the hands of Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit. Police also investigated Litzman for allegedly using his influence to improperly help a business run by one of his associates. That business failed a health inspection, and Litzman allegedly used his clout to avoid the business being shut down by the Health Ministry.
Police say that the evidence gathered in both cases points to fraud and breach of trust (which under Israeli law is one count), bribery, and suborning perjury.
