• Colombian authorities rescued 17 children from the Lev Tahor sect in Yarumal.
• Five of the rescued minors had active Interpol yellow notices for missing persons.
• The sect has faced numerous accusations, including child abuse and forced relocations.
• Local reports prompted the immigration service to conduct the rescue operation.
• The operation underscores the ongoing global scrutiny of Lev Tahor's practices.

Colombian immigration authorities have safely rescued 17 children from members of the Lev Tahor sect, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group accused of severe child abuse, during a rescue operation in the small town of Yarumal. This action was taken after local residents alerted police to the sect's presence, emphasizing the community's proactive role in protecting vulnerable minors, according to SCMP, LA Times, and AA.

The group was reportedly searching for a new site to establish a compound when they were detained. Gloria Esperanza Arriero, the head of Colombia's immigration service, noted that during the hotel inspection, officials questioned nine members of the sect, with plans for possible deportation as no arrest warrants exist against them in Colombia. Arriero pointed out that proactive measures were essential to protect the minors before a more complex situation developed, highlighting the timely intervention of law enforcement, according to SCMP and LA Times.

The operation underscores Lev Tahor's controversial background, as its practices have led to scrutiny across several nations for endorsing extreme interpretations of Jewish law, including child marriages and strict isolation of followers. This sect has historically faced multiple legal challenges and investigations due to allegations of abuse and other criminal activities in different countries, reiterating the need for vigilant oversight to safeguard children's rights, according to AA and LA Times.