Guatemala police clash with Jewish sect over 160 at-risk children

Guatemalan authorities have rejected attempts by Jewish sectarians to take back 160 rescued children from their homes.

The children were taken care of on Friday when the police entered the farm used by the Lev Tahor group, which is under investigation in several countries for serious sex crimes.

Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez said he was being abused by a member of the group.

But on Sunday, members of the sect entered the detention center to return them, which led to clashes with the police.

The Lev Tahor group is known for its extreme actions and for forcing its followers to follow strict laws.

It encourages child marriage, imposes harsh punishments for even minor offenses and requires women and girls as young as three to be completely covered in robes.

The group accuses Guatemalan authorities of persecuting people based on religion.

The indigenous population settled in Mexico and Guatemala between 2014 and 2017. he was later released due to lack of evidence.

It started when the police entered the cult farm in Oratorio, southeast of Guatemala City, on Friday, and took the children.

Prosecutors in the case said there were suspicions of “forced pregnancy, child abuse and rape”.

But two days later, about 100 relatives of the children – all members of the sect – gathered outside the detention center to demand their return.

Some members of the group then forced open the gate and attempted to kidnap the children and youths who lived there, the Attorney General’s office said.

But the children were caught by authorities and taken to a white minibus, local media reported.

With the help of the police, the center “was able to locate and protect everyone,” the Attorney General’s office added.

Officials had previously tried to check on the children, but were prevented from entering the farm by cult members.

Officials estimate that the community has about 50 families living in Guatemala, the US, Canada and other countries.

The Jewish Community of Guatemala has issued a statement rejecting the group, saying it is foreign to their organization.

It expressed support for the Guatemalan authorities in the necessary research “to protect the lives and integrity of children and other vulnerable groups who may be at risk”.