# Guatemalan extradition of Lev Tahor leader

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/guatemalan-extradition-of-lev-tahor-leader
> Updated: 2026-09-29T17:43:11.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

A Guatemalan criminal court has approved the extradition of Yoel Malka, a member of the Lev Tahor community, to Mexico. Malka was arrested in February 2026 by local police and Interpol.

Mexican authorities have accused Malka of involvement in organized crime related to human trafficking, specifically through forced marriages or forced pregnancies involving minors under the age of 14. The prosecution alleges that the criminal organization operates across multiple nations. During a hearing on September 4, the Fifth Criminal Sentencing Tribunal ruled the request valid, noting that documentation complied with extradition treaties between Mexico and Guatemala. The process will now move to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the transfer.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: Mexico seeks extradition of Tomás Zerón from Israel

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico is working to extradite former official Tomás Zerón from Israel regarding the Ayotzinapa case, despite the absence of a bilateral extradition treaty.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-seeks-extradition-of-toms-zern-from-israel

### 2026-09-04: Guatemala approves extradition of Lev Tahor leader to Mexico

A Guatemalan court has approved the extradition of Lev Tahor member Yoel Malka to Mexico to face human trafficking and forced marriage charges involving minors.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guatemala-approves-extradition-of-lev-tahor-leader-to-mexico

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Cite as: Guatemalan extradition of Lev Tahor leader. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/guatemalan-extradition-of-lev-tahor-leader