One of the accused due to be indicted soon.
Indictments served in Air Force rape case
Soldiers allegedly filmed rape, coordinated stories; one accused perpetrator is also a suspect in another act of rape.
Indictments were brought before a military court on Thursday afternoon, accusing three soldiers serving in the Air Force base "Hatzerim" of playing a part in the rape of one of their female comrades. According to the accusations, one of the young men raped the female soldier while the others watched. The charges against the three include rape, sodomy, invasion of privacy, obstruction of justice, and more.
A fourth male was present and stands accused of rape as well, but he was not indicted with the others. His day in court is expected in the coming days.
One of the accused soldiers being led by military police. (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
According to Thursday's indictments, the female soldier accompanied one of the accused males to a room at the gas station on the base near Be'er Sheva. He approached her with sexual advancements but she refused him. The three other soldiers arrived and the first male tried to stroke her shoulder but she pushed him away.
Afterward, three of the male soldiers left the room leaving just the young woman with the soldier who has yet to be indicted. He yelled to the three outside that he intended to have sex with the female and suggested that they watch through a window; they agreed. The door was then locked from within and the female was allegedly raped as she cried.
Another of the males then re-entered the room and helped the first rapist lift the female to her feet. She was led to the bathroom where she was allegedly raped for a second time.
The second rape was filmed by one of the perpetrators who later deleted the video from his phone. They then coordinated what their testimony would be in case the female filed a complaint. The male who has yet to be indicted faces charges of rape and sodomy against the female in this story and another as well.
Last month, after the four soldiers were arrested in connection with the rape, General Amir Eshel, commander of the Air Force, said, "This incident will be investigated until the end and the law is exhausted and we will learn and get better. The commanders continue to treat the soldier and her family with sensitivity and warmth. I clarify emphatically that there is zero tolerance for such events.
