Enough evidential basis. Elon
Photo: Gili Eliyahu
Prosecution: Charge Rabbi Elon with indecent acts
Jerusalem District Prosecution recommends attorney general to file indictment against religious-Zionist leader on suspicion of committing indecent acts against male teens
Police Probe
Police say there is enough evidence to indict Religious-Zionist leader, half a year after religious forum charged with handling sexual harassment cases announces he violated agreement barring him from rabbinical activity
The Jerusalem District Prosecution on Tuesday recommended that Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein prosecute Rabbi Mordechai Elon for committing indecent acts against at least one male teenager, stated sources familiar with the case.
The prosecution said it reached the conclusion after reviewing the police's position on the matter.
Over the next two weeks, Weinstein is expected to hold several meetings with attorneys Sagi Ofir and Nurit Litman, as well as other senior prosecution officials, after which he will announce whether he has decided to file an indictment against the rabbi.
Suspicions against the Elon were first made public by the Takana forum, which fights against sexual abuse by prominent figures in the National Religious sector in Israel.
Following the allegations, the attorney general instructed to launch an investigation, and in August Israel Police said that it gathered enough evidence suggesting that the rabbi committed the acts.
During the investigation, a special police unit headed by Commander Ephraim Bracha managed to locate a number of young male complainants who, according to suspicions, were sexually assaulted by Elon.
One of the complainants agreed to give a detailed and incriminating testimony that describes the indecent acts forcefully perpetrated by Rabbi Elon while the witness was still a minor.
As part of the investigation, Rabbi Elon was summoned for an interrogation under caution on suspicion of committing indecent acts against the aforementioned minor.
The rabbi was called in for the second time after another minor came forward and complained about similar acts perpetrated by Elon.
After the probe was completed, the investigators stated that "there is evidential basis against Rabbi Elon for the forceful perpetration of indecent acts on minors."
The Justice Ministry stated in response, "We will not address the different reports before a decision is made. When it is made, we will announce it."
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