Guatemalan Authorities Rescue Over 200 From Lev Tahor Sect Amid Abuse Allegations
Police and prosecutors in Guatemala removed 160 children and 40 women from the ultra-orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor following reports of child abuse, forced marriages, and human trafficking.
- Guatemalan authorities raided the Lev Tahor compound in Oratorio, rescuing 160 children and 40 women and placing them in protective custody.
- The operation, involving 480 personnel, followed allegations of forced marriages, human trafficking, child abuse, and rape within the sect.
- Investigators discovered suspected human remains on the premises and seized electronic devices as potential evidence of further crimes.
- The sect, founded in Israel in 1988, has faced legal scrutiny in multiple countries for alleged sexual abuse, kidnapping, and child exploitation.
- The rescued individuals are under government protection as investigations into Lev Tahor's activities and potential human rights violations continue.
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