The investigation of a suspected cult leader accused of raping and enslaving scores of women took a dramatic turn on Friday after one of his alleged victims gave indications that she may agree to cooperate with authorities.

The head of the cult, Goal Ratzon, was arrested on Monday on suspicions of rape, enslavement, and indecent assault of minors, police announced on Thursday.

Police also detained Ratzon's 17 female companions whom Ratzon considers his wives (polygamy is outlawed in Israel) and 38 of his 60 children for questioning.

A., one of the 17 women, gave a statement to investigators Friday morning. Police came away from the session encouraged that A. may be willing to step forward as the central prosecution witness in the case against Ratzon.

Prosecutors hope to issue an indictment against Ratzon within the next 10 days.

Police suspect that Ratzon imposed a harsh and unforgiving regime on his household, which had a rule book complete with punishments. Police say this is evidence of enslavement. Some of the prohibitions in the book include interrupting Ratzon, idling, arguing with him or with each other, and laughing indoors.

Police started an undercover investigation of Ratzon in June 2009, when one of his wives came to a welfare office and said the household was the scene of criminal acts, including rape and enslavement. Police opened the investigation under the 2006 Slavery Law, legislated to combat traffic in women. The decision to launch the investigation had to be made by State Prosecutor Moshe Lador, since dozens of minors were apparently involved.

One of Ratzon's wives cooperated with the police, providing them with the evidence necessary to carry out the arrest. Police devoted substantial resources to the investigation, including audio and video surveillance placed inside his homes.

During police questioning of A., investigators played surveillance tapes said to be of Ratzon committing the crimes of which he is accused in his apartment.

Police also played for A. video footage and pictures of Ratzon while committing the alleged acts, prompting her to burst into tears.

"After what I saw [on the tapes], I'm done with being gullible," A. said from her home on Friday. "I can't bear the thought that these things happened. I personally did not know that these things were done until the voices on the tape were played for me. I'm finished with Goel."

Tel Aviv District Court rejected Ratzon's appeal of the Magistrate's Court extension of his remand by 12 days.

"Ratzon was arrested after a lengthy period of undercover investigation and he is accused of crimes which range from holding women in enslavement, rape, extortion, and indecent acts against minors," the court said in its reasoning on Friday. "It suffices to look at the evidence presented thus far in order to understand the picture that emerges of a man who physically and psychologically took control of women who live in his domicile and children who live with those same women."

A.'s statements are in stark contrast to those made by Ratzon's other women following his arrest. "This [arrest] is an act of vengeance against the family and there is no shortage of people who wanted to avenge," said M., another of Ratzon's 17 companions. "There are quite a few people who do not like our lifestyle and make up stories about us."

www.haaretz.com/news/police-zero-in-on-1-of-17-wives-in-cult-leader-rape-probe-1.261525

Dec. 21, 2010