Rabbi wanted in Israel for sex crimes appears in court
The defense team of Internationally wanted Israeli fugitive Rabbi Eliezer Berland accused of running away from Israel, where he is accused of sex crimes, argued on Wednesday that he was "not liable" to be sent back to his home country to face the music.
During court proceedings in the Randburg Magistrate's Court, defense attorney Themba Langa told the court that he didn't think Berland needed to be extradited.
Berland, 80, who is the leader of the Shuvu Bonim Hassidic sect in Jerusalem, allegedly fled Israel in 2012 after allegations of a sexual nature were made against him by some of his female followers. He was arrested in South Africa two weeks ago.
Langa said that there were elements that he felt were made an "overkill" of what the Extradition Act says.
"There is no extradition agreement between Israel and South African," Langa said.
To counter the argument state prosecutor, Deon Barnard, handed copies of relevant excerpts of the Extradition Act to the court.
Barnard also made reference to an article, which said that Interpol received an extradition request for the Rabbi on 4 February as well as a warrant of arrest that was subsequently cancelled on 7 April.
WATCH: Rabbi Eliezer Berland appears in court
The prosecutor also submitted a copy of the extradition request document, which stated that it was from the Ministry of Justice from Israel to the Minister of Justice in South Africa.
Barnard said that there were two findings that the court needed to make - the first was whether Berland was liable to be surrendered to Israel, which meant that the court needed to find out if the crimes that were allegedly committed by Berland in Israel were considered crimes in South Africa.
The second was whether there was enough evidence for prosecution in the requested country.
However, the rabbi's lawyer Langa argued that Israel and South Africa didn't have an extradition agreement, which didn't make Berland liable to be surrendered.
"Berland shouldn't be extradited because he will be injected into a coma as punishment in Israel," Langa added.
But Barnard insisted the correct processes was followed in regards to the rabbi's extradition request by Israel.
Earlier Berland's initial legal representatives notified the court they were no longer representing him.
Berland's wife was present in court accompanied by another woman. They could be seen reading prayer books.
In the gallery there were three men who were thought to be Berland's followers.
The trial continues. - ANA