Colombia rescues 17 minors from Jewish ‘Lev Tahor’ sect under investigation for abuse

BOGOTA, Nov. 24 (YPA) – Colombian authorities announced the rescue of 17 minors belonging to the ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect “Lev Tahor,” which is under investigation in several countries for alleged child abuse and mistreatment.

The immigration authority and the anti-kidnapping unit reported that the children, some of whom hold various nationalities including five Americans, were transferred to a government center. Authorities noted there were indicators of potential kidnapping or human trafficking under the guise of religious activity.

Police stated that the group had settled in a hotel in the town of Yarumal, northern Colombia, to prepare for the establishment of a settlement. The sect has faced issues with authorities in the United States, Guatemala, Mexico, and Canada, with Interpol issuing Red Notices for the arrest of some of its leaders.

The sect was founded in “Israel” in 1988 and has moved between countries in West Asia and the Americas since 1990. Its founder, Shlomo Erez Helbrans, was previously imprisoned in the United States for kidnapping and died in 2017 during a religious ritual in Mexico.

YPA