First arrest made in IAF rape case
Soldier suspected of taking part in rape of teenage girl at Air Force base in southern Israel arrested. Defense attorney: My client is clearly being discriminated against, as there are dozens of other suspects that have not been detained
The soldier is denying the allegations against him; a military court has extended his remand until Sunday.
In a hearing held last Wednesday it was revealed that the prosecution estimates that more than 50 soldiers, as well as few civilians, engaged in illicit sexual activity with the girl over the course of a year.
The girl is now 14-years-old.
A large number of people have already been questioned for their involvement in the case, but so far none of them have been brought before a military judge or incarcerated for more than 48 hours.
During the hearing Judge Moshe Yinon expressed his amazement at the soldier’s arrest when so many other suspects have not been detained.
The soldier himself admitted to being acquainted with the girl, but said he had never engaged in any sexual contact with her.
Officer suspended
The soldier’s defense attorney told Ynet “there is no dispute over the fact that the acts were carried with the girl’s full consent and that she had told the suspects she was more than 16-years-old. The investigators are having trouble, but due to public pressure they chose to present the soldier’s arrest as a breakthrough. My client is clearly being discriminated against, as there are dozens of other suspects in the case that have not been detained.”
Last week Ynet reported that a standing army officer suspected of involvement in the rape received a two-week suspension from the base commander.
IAF sources said it is estimated the officer will not return to the base until the Military Advocate General’s Office decides on whether indict him or not; if he will in fact be put on trial, the base commander will be authorized to suspend him until the conclusion of the legal proceedings.
The Military Advocate General's Office ordered Military Police to carry out a thorough investigation into the affair. Police officials are certain that the code of silence was kept in the base and are therefore interrogating all soldiers who came in contact with the rape victim.
Recently IAF Chief Major-General Eliezer Shakedi held a seminar for all high-ranking Air Force officers on morality, values and norms. During the seminar discussions were held on the rape and how to deal with similar cases at army bases.
