Authorities in Guatemala have stood firm against efforts from members of the Lev Tahor Jewish sect to regain custody of 160 children recently reclaimed by law enforcement. The children were taken into protective custody during a police raid on a farm associated with the group, which faces scrutiny in multiple countries for grave sexual crimes.
Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez stated that the children were allegedly victims of abuse at the hands of sect members. Following the raid on Friday, chaos ensued on Sunday when sect insiders attempted to storm a care center where the children were being held, resulting in clashes with police forces safeguarding the premises. The Lev Tahor sect is notorious for its extremist beliefs that enforce stringent regulations on its followers, including advocating for child marriage and imposing severe penalties for minor infractions.
Members of the sect now accuse the Guatemalan government of religious discrimination. The sect, having previously settled in Guatemala and Mexico between 2014 and 2017, has a history of legal troubles; last year, several of its members were apprehended in Chiapas, Mexico, but were later released due to insufficient evidence.
Reports indicate that the confrontation began when authorities acted on suspicions of forced pregnancy, abuse, and rape within the sect. Just two days later, around 100 relatives of the children gathered in a bid to reclaim them, leading to the forceful attempt to break into the care center.
Law enforcement successfully intervened and ensured the continued safety of the minors, who were discreetly relocated in a police-escorted minibus. The Attorney General's Office emphasized that all children had been accounted for post-conflict.
Previously, efforts by authorities to assess the welfare of the children were thwarted by sect adherents barring entry to the property. With an estimated 50 families belonging to the sect now living in Guatemala, the situation has drawn widespread attention. The Jewish Community of Guatemala has publicly distanced itself from the Lev Tahor group, voicing its backing for the government's investigation aimed at safeguarding vulnerable populations.
Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez stated that the children were allegedly victims of abuse at the hands of sect members. Following the raid on Friday, chaos ensued on Sunday when sect insiders attempted to storm a care center where the children were being held, resulting in clashes with police forces safeguarding the premises. The Lev Tahor sect is notorious for its extremist beliefs that enforce stringent regulations on its followers, including advocating for child marriage and imposing severe penalties for minor infractions.
Members of the sect now accuse the Guatemalan government of religious discrimination. The sect, having previously settled in Guatemala and Mexico between 2014 and 2017, has a history of legal troubles; last year, several of its members were apprehended in Chiapas, Mexico, but were later released due to insufficient evidence.
Reports indicate that the confrontation began when authorities acted on suspicions of forced pregnancy, abuse, and rape within the sect. Just two days later, around 100 relatives of the children gathered in a bid to reclaim them, leading to the forceful attempt to break into the care center.
Law enforcement successfully intervened and ensured the continued safety of the minors, who were discreetly relocated in a police-escorted minibus. The Attorney General's Office emphasized that all children had been accounted for post-conflict.
Previously, efforts by authorities to assess the welfare of the children were thwarted by sect adherents barring entry to the property. With an estimated 50 families belonging to the sect now living in Guatemala, the situation has drawn widespread attention. The Jewish Community of Guatemala has publicly distanced itself from the Lev Tahor group, voicing its backing for the government's investigation aimed at safeguarding vulnerable populations.
