Ultra-Orthodox Jewish cult leader arrested in Guatemala on child abuse, human trafficking charges
Yoel Alter, one of the leaders of the Lev Tahor Jewish sect, which has been accused of child abuse and human trafficking in Guatemala, has been arrested. It is seen that Interpol officers are escorting him, Jan. 29, 2025. (Photo via X)
Yoel Alter, a prominent leader of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish cult, Lev Tahor, was arrested in Guatemala following an operation led by Interpol. The arrest comes amid allegations of child abuse and human trafficking, which have been tied to the controversial group.
Interpol operation leads to arrest in Guatemala
The 35-year-old Alter was apprehended in Guatemala after a request for his extradition was made by Mexico, where he faces human trafficking charges.
He appeared in a Guatemalan court, where he was subsequently detained, and will likely be extradited to Mexico for trial.
Lev Tahor cult’s dark allegations
Founded in Israel in 1988, Lev Tahor has been under scrutiny for a range of serious crimes, including child abuse, human trafficking, and forced marriages of minors.
The cult has been operating in Mexico and Guatemala since 2014.
In December 2024, police in Guatemala raided the cult’s compound in the Santa Rosa region, rescuing 160 children and 40 women from alleged abuse by cult members.
Rescue operations, ongoing investigation
This operation was not the first of its kind. In 2022, a similar police raid in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas led to the rescue of several children and young people, who were then sent to Israel to be reunited with their families.
Despite the successful rescue, some cult members were released due to insufficient evidence, prolonging the investigation.
Alter is expected to face trial for human trafficking charges in Mexico as authorities continue to investigate the widespread criminal activities of Lev Tahor.
As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the cult’s operations in Guatemala and Mexico.
