Drama in Golders Green • Police arrested Rabbi Chaim Halpern, his brother and two activists

The affair of Harav Chaim Halpern in London thickens: This morning (Wednesday) – for the first time since the public was exposed to the details of the embarrassing affair half a year ago - officers of the local police of London arrived at the rabbi's house in Golders Green, searched his home, and then arrested him, his brother Rabbi David Halperin, and two local activists, who are suspects of disrupting court proceedings, when they paid money to women so as not to complain against the rabbi in this affair.

The detainees were taken to the police station in north London near Golders Green. One of the activists arrested is a senior member of the local Hashomrim organization.

According to the testimony of residents in the neighborhood, police investigators arrived at the home of Rabbi Halperin - suspected of molesting women who came to him for advice in matters of Shalom Bayis - at 6 am. One of the 'Divrei Chaim' community of Rabbi Halperin - told Behadrey Haredim that police conducted searches in documents and computers at the rabbi's home. "Embarrassing. This is unpleasant for a Rav of such standing in a large hareidi community."

It is estimated that police began investigating the affair which stirs the Jewish community in England for six months only now, after Rabbi Halperin went to court and complained that operators of websites and local blogs who report on the case allow visitors to defame him and demanded to disclose those who write against him in order to file libel suits.

Apparently, in response to this step, complaints were filed with the police. A member of one of the hareidi communities explained, "So far we failed to involve the authorities in the case. But when the first step was taken by the Rav - no one can complain any longer."

Meanwhile, the special Beis Din composed to discuss the allegations leveled against Rabbi Halperin, is expected to meet for the second time in two weeks to continue to collect evidence. The hope of all parties involved in the case is that until Pesach there will be a final decision.

Behadrey Haredim will follow up on the case.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!