Missing Israeli Mother and Daughter Arrested in Namibia with Fake Passports
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Israeli mother Mali Yahalomi and her daughter Liel Yahalomi, previously reported missing from Vienna, were arrested in Namibia for using fake passports. They had been located in Argentina two months prior, stating they wished to disconnect from their family and country. Israeli police are investigating the use of forged documents but are not involved in the Namibian inquiry. The mother had planned the disappearance for over a year, funding it with her pension money, and her daughter willingly joined her.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Mali and Liel Yahalomi, an Israeli mother and daughter, were arrested in Namibia with fake passports.
- The pair had previously disappeared from Vienna and were located in Argentina two months ago.
- In Argentina, they stated they wanted to disconnect from family and country, denying threats or debts.
- Israeli police are investigating the use of forged documents but are not involved in the Namibian investigation.
- Mali Yahalomi planned the disappearance for over a year and funded it with her pension.
- Liel Yahalomi willingly joined her mother's plan to leave, according to communications.
Mali and Liel Yahalomi, an Israeli mother and daughter who disappeared from Vienna several months ago and were later located in South America, have been arrested in Namibia for possessing forged passports. Israeli police are investigating the arrest but stated they are not involved in the Namibian investigation. Authorities are trying to understand why the two felt the need to use fake documents, especially after they had previously told investigators in Argentina that they left Israel of their own free will.
Mali and Liel Yahalomi were reported missing in August after vanishing from Vienna, Austria. Extensive international searches involving hundreds of investigators across multiple continents were conducted. Evidence revealed that Mali had meticulously planned the disappearance for over a year, withdrawing her pension funds to finance their journey to South America. Mobile phone communications indicated Liel willingly joined her mother's plan, with messages like "I will go with you anywhere." They took steps to avoid detection, including deleting apps and using specific search queries that may have related to their travel plans.
The complex operation to locate them concluded when they were found on an intercity bus in Argentina. Deputy Superintendent Walter Kogan, the Israeli police representative in South America, confirmed they were unharmed, not under duress, and had voluntarily entered Argentina. During an initial investigation there, the mother and daughter stated they simply wanted to "disconnect from the family, from the country," denying any threats, coercion, or financial debts. Police confirmed Mali Yahalomi had no outstanding debts.
As they were adult women not suspected of any crime and not wanted by authorities, their case was closed once it was determined they were not in danger. However, their relatives expressed ongoing concern and a desire for answers, as the pair had not contacted them since being found in Argentina. The recent arrest in Namibia has raised new questions about their travels and motivations.
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