A leading communal rabbi from Meron in northern Israel has been arrested for alleged “serious sexual offenses,” police said on Thursday, a week after he was accused by a cult watchdog of managing a tightly controlled group since at least 2011.

A statement from the Israel Police said Rabbi Yosef Shovely, 54, was arrested overnight Wednesday-Thursday following a covert investigation after multiple complaints were received.

Shovely is said to have maintained tight control over his followers, although it was unclear how many adherents he had.

Sources familiar with the details of the case told the Walla news site that according to complaints that had accumulated over time, Shoveli presented his control over followers as spiritual.

“He succeeded in entering into the lives of people and making them completely dependent on him. He controlled their daily routines, distanced them from their families, and some of them effectively became his servants,” a source with knowledge of the probe told Walla.

Shoveli was expected to be brought before a court for a remand hearing later on Thursday.

Police called on anyone who may also have been harmed by the suspect or have any knowledge of alleged crimes to come forward.

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© The Times of Israel