'Abusive rabbi' won't face attempted murder charges
Prosecution says evidence does not support including charge in indictment against Elior Chen. Indictment to include multiple counts of abuse, assault of a helpless minor
Elior Chen, the self-professed rabbi suspected of multiple counts of abuse, will not face attempted murder charges, the Jerusalem District Prosecution said Sunday.
The prosecution intends to charge Chen,
who allegedly instructed his followers to abuse their children, with multiple counts of abuse and assault of a helpless minor.
Elior Chen, accused of ordering followers to abuse children, lands in Israel Wednesday after extradition from Brazil; passengers hurl insults at him during flight, dub him 'scum'. Attorney says acts attributed to Chen 'never happened'
Upon Chen's extradition to
Israel from
Brazil two weeks ago, the prosecution said it was planning to include attempted murder charges in his indictment, but a legal source told Ynet prosecutors were unable to substantiate the allegation.
The source added that should further evidence come to light and support such a charge, the prosecution will amend the indictment.
Such a move would also require Brazil's consent, since it was not included in the original extradition motion.
Chen has been questioned by Jerusalem Police investigators several times but has been exercising his right to remain silent.
Attorney Ariel Atari, representing Chen, told Ynet that his client "welcomes the indictment, since it marks the beginning of the trail – he will finally be able to refute all these charges in a court of law."
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