An Israeli rabbi — on the run from Interpol — has been arrested in a high level police operation outside Johannesburg.
Rabbi Eliezer Berland‚ 78‚ was arrested in Sunninghill on Thursday evening by Hawks officers stationed with Interpol.
Hawks spokesman‚ Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the arrest and said he had been detained on a warrant issued by Interpol.
He said he was arrested on four counts of indecent assault that allegedly occurred in Israel.
Berland‚ one of the leaders of the Breslov Hassidic movement in Israel and head of the Shuvu Bonim Seminary in Jerusalem — and considered a holy man by his followers — has been on the run since 2012 when allegations were made by female followers in Israel that he had sexually harassed or raped them.