Career officers confess in IAF rape affair
Non-commissioned officer admits during interrogations by Crime Investigation Division that he had sexual relations with 13-year-old girl in repeated-rape case recently uncovered in Air Force; five more admit involvement soon after
A non-commissioned officer with rank of sergeant major admitted Wednesday during interrogations by the Crime Investigation Division that he had sexual relations with the 13-year-old female victim in a repeated rape affair recently uncovered in the Air Force. The man is the first career soldier to admit participating in the gruesome affair.
Soon afterwards, five additional soldiers in career service serving at the base also admitted to having sexual contact with the girl. All six soldiers were not on the original list of suspects drawn up when the affair was first exposed, but exhaustive inquiries led investigators to them.
Two months ago it was exposed that the State Prosecution suspected over 50 soldiers and a number of civilian of having illicit relations with the minor over the course of a year, according to suspicions, since the girl was 13 years old. She is now 14 and a half.
Many of the suspects claimed during questioning that they heard the girl was at conscription age – 17 or 18, and therefore were not aware their actions were illegal. Despite the vast number of suspects, only 15 admitted involvement to investigators. All unanimously claimed they believed the girl to be at least 16 and the affairs were with her consent and upon her instigation. Other soldiers denied involvement, some fully and others partially.
The State Prosecution decided to keep the officer who confessed in remand. On Thursday it will be decided whether or not to subject him to a hearing presided over by a military judge to extend his remand and continue recording his testimony. If he is released after the inquiry, estimations are that he will be suspended from his post for 14 days. Further steps against him will be decided afterwards. The Air Force Commander has the authority to extend his suspension.
70 officers interrogated
The man is the second non-commissioned officer arrested in the affair. Another who was questioned when the scandalous case was exposed was already suspended and he is not expected to return to his post at least until the court rules in his case.
The Military Prosecution assessed that investigations would be ongoing at least for the next six weeks, after which indictments will be drafted and filed at court.
Nearly 70 soldiers and and some 65 officers have already been interrogated in the case. Some are suspected of having sexual relations with the minor, while others are suspected of being aware of the case but failing to inform the appropriate authorities. Officials involved in investigations noted that contrary to what was expected, soldiers who admitted to having sex with the girl say the officers did not necessarily know what was going on.
In the next few days senior officers with lieutenant colonel rank will be questioned.
