'Total shock.' (Illustration photo)
Photo: Dudu Bachar
IAF rape case: Base commander interrogated
Colonel A, commander of base where 14 year-old girl was repeatedly raped, investigated under warning, says he knew nothing about rape; other senior officers questioned
Colonel A, the commander of the Air Force base where a 14 year-old girl was repeatedly raped, was investigated under warning by Military Police, Ynet has revealed.
The military prosecutor ordered to investigate Colonel A, the highest ranking officer to be investigated in the case so far.
Repeated-Rape
Hanan Greenberg
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
So far some 70 soldiers have been interrogated and some 70 officers, among them one Major, have also been questioned. This week the investigation centered on higher ranking officers in a bid to find out whether they knew anything about the rape and failed to report it. Fifteen soldiers have confessed thus far to having sexual contact with the teenage girl. The rest deny any involvement, despite the fact that there is substantial evidence against them.
'Officer not a suspect'
Colonel A said he felt "total shock" after finding out about the rape in his base two months ago. The officer, a respected pilot, said in closed sessions that it took him time to internalize the severity of the case.
Israeli Air Force Chief Maj. General Eliezer Shakedi supported the Colonel all along and allowed him to remain in his post as base commander, a move that exposed him to public scrutiny.
During the investigation Colonel A said he knew nothing about the case and described the daily routine and different procedures in the base and his involvement in them.
The investigation of Colonel A is most likely over, and if no surprising events unfold he will not have to face the Military Police again. An official close to the investigation said: "The officer is not a suspect. The rest will be revealed in the prosecutor's decision after the last suspect will be interrogated."
Last week a 27-year-old Sergeant First Class who served in the base was suspended from his duties after confessing to having sex with girl, though he was not on the original list of soldiers to be investigated.
He was suspended for 14 days and may face another suspension period if such a move is approved by the IAF commander. Sources close to the investigation disclosed that the Sergeant First Class will eventually face charges regarding the rape itself in addition to charges that he didn't report it.
