Malka Leifer returns to Victoria to face child sexual abuse charges after years-long extradition process

Former Melbourne principal Malka Leifer has returned to Victoria to face charges of child sexual abuse, nearly 13 years after leaving the country and six years after an extradition request was first lodged.

Ms Leifer left Israel on Monday and landed at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport this evening, escorted by Victoria Police.

She is accused of abusing three sisters during her time as headmistress of Elsternwick’s Adass Israel School between 2001 and 2008.

Ms Leifer has maintained her innocence during the drawn-out legal process.

Attorney-General Christian Porter confirmed Ms Leifer would face 74 counts of child sexual abuse.

“These are extremely serious charges and now that Ms Leifer has been extradited to Australia, those charges can now be…