Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman was questioned by police investigators on Thursday on suspicion of obstructing justice by attempting to prevent the extradition of a woman accused of sex crimes against minors in Australia.
Australia wants Malka Leifer extradited on 74 counts of sexual abuse against girls at the Edat Israel seminary, which she managed in Melbourne.
Israel's state prosecution says Leifer is feigning mental illness to dodge extradition.
Police would not elaborate but said Litzman is suspected of trying to illegally falsify psychiatric medical evaluations that would bar Leifer from extradition. Police officials said the investigation into Litzman's activities, authorized via the relevant legal channels, was undercover and took place over a seven-month period.
The Jerusalem District Court has halted extradition proceedings after accepting psychological evaluations determining she was unfit to stand trial and.
Leifer escaped to Israel around a decade ago after accusations of sexual abuse first surfaced. Following a manhunt, in conjunction with Interpol, she was arrested by police in Israel.
In July 2013, Australian authorities issued a request for her extradition, and in August 2014, after her arrest in Israel, the state's prosecution asked the court to allow it.
"Litzman acted like an octopus, he orchestrated and connected various medical elements, all in order to secure a medical evaluation that would prevent extradition," a police representative said.
A spokesperson for Litzman issued a response, saying: "The deputy health minister was summoned by police. … [He] provided his full account and answered all the questions he was asked. Deputy Minister Litzman is sure of his innocence and will continue to help … in accordance with the law and existing protocol."
