Bogotá: Colombian authorities said on Sunday that they had rescued 17 minors from members of Lev Tahor, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect that is under investigation for alleged child sexual abuse.

Lev Tahor follows strict religious practices in which women dress in black tunics covering them from head to toe. The group has drawn scrutiny in various countries over accusations involving the mistreatment of minors.

"We have rescued 17 boys, girls and teens," the country's immigration service said on X, with pictures of some of the children, their faces blurred or shielded from view.

"International alerts have been issued over crimes against minors associated with this community."

The raid took place on Saturday, police said. The minors -- who are of various nationalities including American and Guatemalan, were taken to a government-run center.

"There are indications that some of them may have been kidnapped, suggesting a possible human trafficking scenario, under the guise of religious activity," a police report said.

The Lev Tahor sect was formed in the 1980s, and some members settled in Guatemala in 2013. Authorities estimate that the community is made up of roughly 50 families from Guatemala, the United States, Canada and other countries.

Lev Tahor also has run into problems with officials in Mexico and Canada.

Interpol has issued red notices for the arrest of some of the group's leaders.

In December 2024, Guatemalan authorities rescued 160 minors from a farm occupied by Lev Tahor, alleging they were being abused.

At the time, public prosecutor Dimas Jimenez told a press conference that the raid was carried out due to suspicions of "forced pregnancy, mistreatment of minors and rape."

AFP