The Haifa District Attorney's Office has filed an indictment at the Haifa District Court against a 50-year-old resident of Tiberias for a series of sex crimes allegedly committed against two siblings nearly twenty years ago, when they were nine-year-old children. The indictment, filed by Adv. Ilana Pikus Roitblatt, details a series of severe criminal acts, including sodomy with a minor, indecent acts, causing indecent acts, and false imprisonment. Furthermore, the defendant is accused of additional sex offenses against the victims' sister several years later, committed outside the borders of Israel.
According to reports by Channel 13 News, the defendant previously established a close relationship with the children's mother, gaining both her trust and that of her children. The indictment alleges that in this context, the defendant falsely presented himself as a qualified therapy professional. It is claimed that he exploited this trust, coupled with the children's young age, to commit these offenses over a long period and with high frequency. The indictment further states that in certain circumstances, the defendant prevented the brother from leaving their location and instructed him to conceal the acts.
Legally, filing an indictment after many years presents complex evidentiary challenges within the criminal justice system; however, authorities continue to seek justice even in historical cases, in accordance with statutes of limitations and existing exceptions for sex crimes. This case highlights the significant priority placed by the Prosecution on uncovering sex crimes against minors, even in environments intended to be safe.
Concurrent with this indictment, Israeli law enforcement continues to combat sex crimes involving social media. For example, a 34-year-old Holon resident was recently arrested on suspicion of attempting to sexually abuse a 13-year-old girl via the internet, a case investigated following a report to the 105 Hotline. For the public, this serves as a significant reminder of the need for heightened vigilance toward external parties integrating into family life, particularly when they present themselves as professionals and utilize emotional manipulation toward minors.