A self-styled religious leader accused of persuading several followers to torture their small children arrived in Israel Wednesday after being extradited from Brazil, police said.

Elior Hen (27) was escorted by Israeli and Brazilian police on the flight to Tel Aviv "where he was immediately transferred to Jerusalem for interrogation ahead of his indictment," police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld told AFP.

Hen, who called himself a rabbi, fled Israel last year after the children of several of his disciples were hospitalised, some in critical condition.

He allegedly ordered his followers to shake, beat, burn and tie up their children in gruesome exorcism rituals.

"One of the children who was the victim of the rabbi is today still hospitalised in an extremely serious condition," Rosenfeld said.

Israel had asked Brazil to extradite him to face child torture and abuse charges.

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AFP

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