Israeli police arrest leader of 'cult' group

A 60-year-old man was held on suspicion of heading the organisation and 'committing severe offences' against those under his influence

Israeli police said they have raided a cult-like group in an ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood of Jerusalem in which dozens of women and children were being held and abused under “slavery” conditions.

The police’s undercover investigation learned details from women who had escaped the group, which authorities described as a “cult”.

The police raid was carried out in co-ordination with the Israeli Centre for Victims of Cults.

A 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of heading the group and “committing severe offences” against those under his influence, police said.

He and eight female accomplices are suspected of isolating some 50 women in the complex, along with children between the ages of one and five, and keeping them out of contact with their families and the outside world.

The prime suspect, who was not named, is also suspected of stealing money and handing out various forms of punishment.

Superintendent Isaac Simon said alleged victims of the group were held in “very cramped conditions and difficult sanitary conditions”.

כוחות משטרה פשטו הבוקר על מתחם מגורים במרכז ירושלים, בו התגוררה קהילה סגורה, עם עשרות נשים וקטינים שחיו בתנאי עבדות ועושק, תחת מרותו של מנהיג הקהילה >> pic.twitter.com/QVCGUwY6sO

— משטרת ישראל (@IL_police) January 13, 2020