One of the leaders of the extremist Jewish cult Lev Tahor was arrested in El Salvador, as part of a major crackdown by Central American authorities against the group for alleged abuse of children.

El Salvador’s attorney general confirmed in a statement Monday that Rabbi Eliezer Rompler, who was indicted in Israel in 2020 by the Jerusalem District Court for assaulting and abusing children, was being held in custody

Rompler, a top figure in the extremist cult, fled Israel after his indictment and sought refuge in Guatemala, where most of the cult has been living for years.

According to the Walla news site, Rompler tried to flee to El Salvador after Guatemalan authorities began their crack down on Lev Tahor, but was stopped at the border due to an outstanding Interpol warrant for his arrest, apparently issued at Israel’s request.

The statement from the attorney general said Israel was expected to submit a request in the coming days for Rompler’s extradition to face prosecution in Israeli courts.

In December, multiple Central American countries began a major crackdown against Lev Tahor for alleged child sexual abuse, forced marriages and other offenses.

The crackdown began when Guatemalan police raided Lev Tahor’s compound late last month after four minors escaped from the community and alerted........

© The Times of Israel