Palestinian workers suspected of raping teenage girl

Five Palestinian construction workers, who were residing in Israel illegally, are suspected of gang raping an 18-year-old girl from Rehovot.

The victim's family filed a complaint against the five claiming that last Friday, as she was walking home, she encountered one of the suspects near the construction site. He allegedly convinced her to accompany him, only to rape her followed by his friends. The suspects deny the allegations.

The victim testified that after she agreed to accompany the suspect, he led her to the construction site where he worked. There she was met by several of his co-workers, all illegal Palestinian aliens, who she claimed raped her under threats.

The following day she told her parents of what had happened and they filed a complaint with the Rehovot police station. A special investigation unit was tasked with probing the case and was directed to the construction site by the victim. Police forces later arrested the suspects.

The five all denied any involvement and claimed they had never met the girl. However, the investigation revealed some discrepancies in their testimonies. The five now face a remand hearing at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court to be held later on Sunday.

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