The situation in Guatemala escalated as police clashed with members of the Lev Tahor sect trying to reclaim 160 children taken from their custody after serious abuse claims emerged. On Friday, authorities raided a farm associated with the sect, which has faced investigations worldwide for allegations including sexual offences against minors. Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez reported that the children were under the threat of abuse by a sect member.
Just two days after the children's removal to a care facility, around 100 relatives of the sect attempted to forcefully retrieve them, resulting in confrontations with law enforcement. The Attorney General's Office confirmed that amid the chaos, police managed to successfully secure the children and transport them safely to a secure location.
Notorious for its extremist ideologies, the Lev Tahor movement is characterized by its advocacy for child marriage and severe punishments for minor infractions, with strict dress codes imposed on female members. The sect has framed these actions as religious persecution, despite growing evidence that raises serious concerns about the safety of the minors involved.
Authorities have previously struggled to assess the conditions of those within the sect's compound due to opposition from its members, raising alarms about potential child mistreatment, including forced pregnancies and sexual abuse.
The Jewish Community of Guatemala has distanced itself from Lev Tahor, publicly supporting the government's efforts to investigate allegations aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals. The sect, which has a history of migrating through Mexico and Central America, operates without the consent of the broader Jewish community, emphasizing the need for protective measures for the children and others at risk amid ongoing scrutiny.
Just two days after the children's removal to a care facility, around 100 relatives of the sect attempted to forcefully retrieve them, resulting in confrontations with law enforcement. The Attorney General's Office confirmed that amid the chaos, police managed to successfully secure the children and transport them safely to a secure location.
Notorious for its extremist ideologies, the Lev Tahor movement is characterized by its advocacy for child marriage and severe punishments for minor infractions, with strict dress codes imposed on female members. The sect has framed these actions as religious persecution, despite growing evidence that raises serious concerns about the safety of the minors involved.
Authorities have previously struggled to assess the conditions of those within the sect's compound due to opposition from its members, raising alarms about potential child mistreatment, including forced pregnancies and sexual abuse.
The Jewish Community of Guatemala has distanced itself from Lev Tahor, publicly supporting the government's efforts to investigate allegations aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals. The sect, which has a history of migrating through Mexico and Central America, operates without the consent of the broader Jewish community, emphasizing the need for protective measures for the children and others at risk amid ongoing scrutiny.
