CANADA
Toronto Star
By: Tim Alamenciak News reporter, Allan Woods Quebec Bureau, Published on Sat Feb 15 2014
Allegations of sexual abuse, confinement, and beatings with crowbars, belts, whips and a coat hanger are among the claims detailed in recently released police documents connected with the ongoing investigation into the ultra-orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor.
The documents, the allegations of which have not been proven in court, outline information used to obtain search warrants executed in January on properties belonging to Lev Tahor families in both Ontario and Quebec. The documents chronicle a litany of allegations that paint a picture of a community whose women and children in particular live in a tightly controlled environment with strictly enforced rules.
The heavily censored police documents recount interviews with members of the community, social workers and unnamed witnesses dating back to 2012. The names of any children mentioned are protected by a publication ban.
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