A court in Holland on Thursday afternoon 23 Shevat handed down its ruling in the case of Rabbi Eliezer Berland, who is the subject of an Israel Police extradition request. Rav Berland is the mora d’asra of the Shuvu Banim community in the Breslov chassidus. After several hearings on the case the court ruled to honor the extradition request. It should be pointed out that the rabbi’s attorneys may file an appeal within 14 days.

A hearing was scheduled for two weeks ago during which the Berland legal team presented new evidence to the court. The court agreed to accept the defense’s new evidence and today, Thursday, it handed down its ruling. It is too soon following the verdict to know exactly how the extradition will be carried out.

Rav Berland fled Israel about two years ago after learning he would be arrested if he remained in Israel. The rav traveled to Switzerland, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Johannesburg and about two months ago, to Holland.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)