The Israeli police said in a statement on Tuesday they had enough evidence for an indictment of Litzman for tampering with witnesses. "With the end of this investigation the Israeli police's position is that there is enough alleged evidence against Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman of offences of fraud, breach of trust, and impeachment in testimony in the [Malka Leifer] extradition case," it said. The investigation allegedly found that psychiatrists feared they would be fired if they did not follow the orders of Litzman, who is also chairman of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party. "I'm just a bureaucrat. A senior minister is sitting in front of me [making requests]. I know my place and I know his place and what is expected of me," one of the psychiatrists allegedly told police. The Times said it would now be up to Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit to determine whether to indict Litzman.

Litzman is also accused of bribery and fraud on separate matters. He was not arrested. Loading Litzman has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement his office said he had worked "in favour of the citizens of Israel in total transparency and according to the law". "We are sure without a doubt that after a close examination it will be revealed that his actions were flawless."

Australia has been pressing Israel to extradite Leifer, who fled with what Australian authorities believe was the assistance of the insular Adass Jewish community, after accusations against her surfaced. Leifer is the former principal of Adass Israel School, an ultra-orthodox Jewish girls’ school in Melbourne. She is wanted by Australian police on 74 sexual assault charges, including rape, involving girls at the institution. Her case has gone through more than 50 hearings and is still being considered by a Jerusalem court. An Israeli court ruled in 2016 that Leifer, who has denied the charges, was mentally unfit to face extradition and trial. She was re-arrested in 2018 after a police investigation cast doubts on her health claims, and is in prison in Israel awaiting an extradition ruling. One of Leifer's alleged victims during her time as principal at Adass, Dassi Erlich, said she was grateful that questions continually raised through the #BringLeiferBack campaign "resulted in one more step to achieving justice". "The investigation that followed into health minister Litzman, brought to light the systemic cover up and support of abusers in the highest levels of government, particularly in the Malka Leifer case," she told The Age on Wednesday.

"The recommendation for Litzman to be charged has us feeling excited, relieved and encouraged going forward," she said. In a video interview with YNet, a website, hours before the police announcement, Litzman said he answered all questions from police. "And I strongly deny everything they are saying," he said. AP, Reuters, with Nicole Precel