Colombian authorities on Monday expelled nine members of the Lev Tahor sect amid allegations of minor abuse. The move came just over a week after immigration services rescued 17 minors from the group.
The Lev Tahor sect, known for its ultra-Orthodox practices where women wear black tunics covering them fully, has faced investigations for minor abuse in several countries, including Mexico and Canada. Authorities have accused the sect of mistreating children and subjecting them to harmful practices.
Images released by Colombian officials showed sect members dressed in black, walking through security checkpoints at Medellin airport. They were sent on a New York-bound flight to be received by US authorities. A number of minors from the US and Guatemala were also transferred back to American child protective services.
Lev Tahor, meaning “pure heart” in Hebrew, was established in the 1980s. Some members moved to Guatemala in 2013, and the sect now consists of approximately 50 families from the United States, Canada, Guatemala, and other countries. Interpol has issued red notices for some of the group’s leaders in connection with minor abuse and other criminal allegations.
In December 2024, Guatemalan authorities rescued 160 minors from a Lev Tahor-occupied farm. Public prosecutors alleged that the children were subjected to forced pregnancy, mistreatment, and sexual abuse. These allegations have intensified international scrutiny of the sect.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to safeguard children associated with Lev Tahor. The ongoing investigations aim to prevent further minor abuse and ensure that children are placed under protective care. Officials have emphasized the need for international cooperation to hold the sect’s leadership accountable for their actions.
The Colombian expulsion of the Lev Tahor members highlights the continued global concern over sects accused of child exploitation and abuse. Law enforcement agencies are coordinating across borders to ensure the safety of vulnerable children.
In other news read more about: Pakistan Police Investigate Mansehra Child Abuse Cases
