Malka Leifer faces Melbourne court charged with sexually abusing students

Ms Leifer’s only movement during her hearing, other than to walk in and out of the room, was to hunch forward and rest her head on her arms and hands on the table. She wore a patterned jacket, head covering and face mask and did not say a word.

A police officer standing nearby confirmed they could hear what was being said in court.

The former principal of the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick faces 74 charges and is accused of sexually abusing three of her then students between 2001 and 2008.

Sisters Elly Sapper, Dassi Erlich and Nicole Meyer, the women who allege they were abused as children by Ms Leifer, were among the 30 people watching Thursday’s hearing on video links.

Ms Leifer has long maintained she is innocent.

She fled to Israel in 2008 when the allegations were first aired but was extradited this week following the decision of the Supreme Court of Israel, which dismissed her final appearance and ordered she return to Australia to face prosecution.

The legal fight to have her return to Australia was waged over six years and comprised more than 70 court hearings in Israel.

Ms Leifer is to remain in custody until her next court appearance on April 9, which is also expected to be held via a video link. She did not apply for bail on Thursday but could do so in the coming weeks.

The charges against Ms Leifer date back to March 2012, prosecutor Phillip Raimondo said.

Mr Hargreaves told magistrate Johanna Metcalf that Ms Leifer had “significant mental health issues” that needed medication. He did not detail her mental health issues.

He said a prison would have better facilities to treat Ms Leifer than those available in the police cells.

Mr Hargreaves also said Ms Leifer observed “strict religious beliefs” and asked that arrangements be made for those to be adhered to in prison. It is not yet known when the accused will be transferred to a women’s prison.

All new prisoners in Victorian jails must spend 14 days in quarantine to safeguard against the coronavirus infiltrating the state’s prison system.

The flight Ms Leifer boarded in Israel was one of the last to leave the country before airports closed due to coronavirus restrictions.

Ms Erlich, Ms Sapper and Ms Meyer were heavily involved in the push to have Ms Leifer returned to Melbourne but have not commented on her extradition, other than short statements made by Ms Erlich on Twitter, which said Ms Leifer was on her way back to Australia and had then arrived in Melbourne.

Asked about the case on Thursday morning, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said his thoughts were with the alleged victims.

“This is a matter that will very soon be before the Victorian courts and I don’t want to say or do anything that might compromise justice being done,” Mr Andrews said during a press conference.

“My thoughts are with Dassi Erlich and her sisters. They have shown a dignity and courage that is quite amazing. I sent them a message of best wishes this morning and my thoughts are with them today,” he said.

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“We all need to be very careful not to say anything that might call into question that process that is now very much on foot.”

Asked about any custody management issues due to Ms Leifer’s extradition from Israel, Mr Andrews said: “I’d have confidence [Corrections Victoria] would put in a very good system to make sure that any person who was being extradited here was not a risk to public health.”

He said he would not comment on a report in The Age that a government-funded chaplaincy organisation would offer religious services to Ms Leifer in custody.

“I’m very, very focused on not saying anything that will jeopardise justice being done,” he said. “A fair process needs to be run.”

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.