Malka Leifer makes long-awaited court appearance in Melbourne
Former school principal Malka Leifer has faced a Melbourne court this morning, 13 years after fleeing Victoria to her native Israel.
Ms Leifer appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link from North Melbourne police station and did not apply for bail.
Her legal team said the 54-year-old requires medication for her mental health, and prison authorities will need accommodate her strict religious reliefs while she is in custody.
Defence lawyers want her transferred to a correctional facility as soon as possible on account of her mental health.
Ms Leifer was silent when asked questions by the magistrate and kept her head down on the desk in front of her.
The former educator is facing 74 counts of child sexual abuse which allegedly happened between 2001 and 2008 when she was principal of the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick.
