Elior Chen being 'interrogated' in Jerusalem

Elior Chen, the rabbi who allegedly influenced some of his followers to abuse their children in order to "correct their corrupt souls," was being interrogated by the Jerusalem District Police on Wednesday afternoon after landing at Ben Gurion Airport following his extradition from Brazil.

Chen was being questioned at the Russian Compound Police Station. On the flight, he was accompanied by Brazilian and Israeli officers.

Police are expected to request a remand extension on Thursday morning.

The 29-year-old Beitar Ilit resident fled to Brazil more than a year ago after a terrifying affair of child abuse in a haredi family in Jerusalem was exposed.

He was apprehended by Brazilian police on a residential street in Sao Paolo in June.

Chen's alleged crimes came to light after two brothers, an unconscious three-year-old and his four-and-a-half-year-old sibling, were rushed to the hospital on March 12, 2008 in serious condition. The younger child suffered severe brain damage and has not recovered.

According to prosecutors, Chen instructed the mother of the family and others to beat the children severely, saying this would mend their behavior. The two children were reportedly beaten with hammers, knives and other instruments. Their mother, who agreed to a plea bargain, said those were just some of the crimes.

Chen will likely be charged with abusing minors, soliciting to abuse minors, assaulting minors and conspiracy to commit a crime.

However, the prosecution may drop several of the charges in compliance with the extradition agreement. Jpost