Israeli authorities on Thursday extended the remand of a man suspected of assaulting and raping a 13-year-old girl at a coronavirus hotel intended for at-risk youth.
According to the police, the 21-year-old suspect from southern Israel raped, choked and beat the teenager for two days straight, all while supplying her with drugs and alcohol. Tel Aviv Magistrates' Court Judge Or Mammon extended the suspect's remand by five days.
3 View gallery
A police forensic team at the coronavirus hotel where the suspected rape took place
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
The investigation revealed the suspect arrived at the coronavirus hotel on Tuesday and met the minor who was already staying there, even though the facility bars male and female residents from being in the same room, with a floor separating between the two sexes.
Forensic investigators at the scene are still collecting evidence from the rooms as well as security camera footage.
"The suspect is a very dangerous individual," police representative, Yevgeny Kapilevich, told the court and requested the man's arrest be extended by eight days.
"The suspect does not deny having intercourse with the minor but does state that all was done with her consent," he said. "The suspect made contact with the minor despite her asking him not to come [to the hotel]."
3 View gallery
A police forensic team at the coronavirus hotel where the suspected rape took place
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
The suspect's attorney Hagit Rahmani told the court that he has no past history of violent or sexual charges, adding that he found himself arrested and unable to fulfill his right to defend himself in court due to him being ill with coronavirus.
"The hotel is dedicated to troubled population. The minor was also there due to an order from welfare services," she added.
Rahmani told the court that the girl had contacted the suspect first through Instagram, telling him she was 16. The defendant apparently only found out the victim's true age when he was questioned by the police.
She also said the suspect only arrived at the girl's room after the two became "friends" and that at no point did the girl try to stop him or say that she was uninterested.
3 View gallery
A police forensic team at the coronavirus hotel where the suspected rape took place
(Photo: Motti Kimchi )
Rahmani said a counselor working at the hotel arrived at the room only when he found out that a man was on the girls' floor.
"There wes no screaming, resistance or violence, and it is doubtful whether the girl told the counselor she had been raped when he arrived at the room," she said.
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs said in response: "The staff at the hotel intervened in real time and reported [the assault] to the police immediately, the girl is closely monitored and treated by the welfare staff. Because the case is under investigation, we will not be able to elaborate further."