Guatemalan Police Conduct Massive Raid on Lev Tahor Cult, Rescuing 160 Children and 40 Women
The Guatemalan police have carried out a major operation at the border with El Salvador, rescuing 160 children and 14 women from the controversial Lev Tahor cult. The raid, which involved over 400 police officers, soldiers, and psychologists, took place after testimonies from four minors who escaped from the cult last month and accused its members of severe abuse.
According to reports, the cult’s members had been subjected to forced marriages, public floggings, and other forms of mistreatment. Children were also separated from their parents and forced into marriage at a young age.
A formal complaint was filed to the Guatemalan state prosecutor’s office after the testimonies, and following an investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at the cult’s compound. In addition to rescuing the victims, authorities also discovered the bones of a child who was buried at the site.
No arrests were made during the raid, but evidence was collected, including computers, phones, and other equipment that could potentially link the cult’s leaders to human trafficking and other crimes. Authorities are now considering filing charges against the leaders of the cult for such offenses.
The Lev Tahor cult, also known as the Jewish People of the Torah, was started in Canada and later spread to Guatemala. In response to the raid, a statement was released by the Jewish community in Guatemala stating that they are not affiliated with the cult and urging governments and organizations from around the world to cooperate with the investigation to protect victims’ rights.