5 aug 2019
Nava Elimelech, who was 12 at the time, disappeared in 1982; her remains drifted onto the shore in Tel Aviv several days later; although gag order was put on new information, police source says no one would risk exhumation without substantial evidence
The remains of 12-year-old Elimelech, who was murdered some 37 years ago was exhumed Sunday after police said they have made new discoveries in the case. A gag order was put on the new details.
Elimelech was last seen leaving her home in the city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, on Saturday afternoon, March 20th, 1982. She left a note for her parents who were resting, saying "I went to visit a friend, don't worry."
Elimelech was wearing red pants and a matching shirt. Her sister was the last one to talk to her when they met under the building, on the girl's way out to visit her friend.
The parents became anxious soon after, when the friend's mother called Elimelech's home and said she had never arrived for the planned visit. The family called the police, but efforts to locate the girl only started that evening.
Thousands of people joined the police search, Elimelech's photo was distributed, and police dogs sniffed the nearby dunes in vain.
Ten days later, the gruesome tale began to unfold: a bag containing the head the thigh of a teen drifted to a beach in the north of Tel Aviv, and quickly identified as the remains of Elimelech. Several days passed and more body parts drifted to shore, as the country was engulfed in hysteria over the haunting details of the case.
The Tel Aviv Central Police Unit was responsible for the investigation, but no lead was found. Life guards, boat owners and regular visitors to the beach were all questioned, but no one had seen a man carrying suspicious looking bags wandering around the beach.
Nava's 90-year-old mother, Mazal Elimelech, told Ynet that the family has agreed "to do anything to get to the truth, just to know who the killer is, who did this atrocity."
"I'll give my life, my family's life, our joy, anything to so we can get to the person who did it," said the mother.
She added that she doesn't have an idea who could have killed her daughter, but says she believes the friend Nava went to visit and the mother of the friend know.
"I'm almost certain that the friend and her mother know everything, but don't want to tell the truth. The girl (Nava) left the apartment and Tali (the friend) called me and I told her that 'Nava left a note, she's on her way to you," says Mazal.
"Tali said she was worried, that Nava never came, and after that she was caught, and she started screaming 'why cry over spilled milk.' Why did she have to say those things?" asks the mother of the victim.
Several years later, the than chief of staff Rafael "Raful" Eitan hinted that Palestinians were behind the murder, as a kind of initiation to join a terror organization. The theory quickly buried.
Researchers maintained that the killer wasn't acting on his own, since the body was sawed and moved from the murder scene to different beach locations. But no lead was discovered.
With no key suspect, the case was forgotten until 1998, when the ex-wife of a man named Yehuda Shelef claimed he had confessed to her for the murder of Elimelech. Police arrested him and his brother, searched his home and excavated the yard but found nothing, and the brothers were released.
That was the last the Israeli public heard of Nava Elimelech.
In past cases when an exhumation was ordered, the police had already had a key suspect in hand. "No officer would have taken a chance with an exhumation without having substantial suspicions," said an unnamed source who knows the investigation details.
Such dramatic orders were given in the murder case of Noa Eyal, who's murderer Daniel Nachmani was arrested 21 years after the 1998 murder, following new DNA evidence.
Elimelech's mother signed a document permitting to exhume her child's remains on Sunday, from a cemetery located in the Bat Yam and Holon border.
"No one told me anything," the mother says about the new information that led to the exhumation. "I wish I knew, and I hope they will know."
Mazal says that despite the long years, her daughter is still present in her life. "The house is full of pictures. I keep imagining the door opening, and in comes Nava, coming back from school. I still have this hope, I can't sleep at nights. She was a special girl, so kind hearted."
Eliezer Yair, who was a teacher at Elimelech's school for years, said that she was "a charming and good-natured girl, pretty and responsible, who always told her parents what she was up to."
"She wasn't the adventurous kind," Yair added, "she came from a good home with supportive parents and a supportive family. She was a hard-working student and very sportive, all the teachers were in love with her, since she had such a friendly character. Nava was a kind soul."
"We were shocked, all the students and staff. We didn’t know how to process it — first the disappearance and then the finding of the body. I was a gym teacher and we held a race in her honor every year after that, with her family present."
Retired police commander Isaac Gatenyu was part of the investigation team in 1982, and said "the case was the biggest, and most sensitive case of the Israel police at the time."
"My role was to go threw sex offenders, I checked hundreds and investigated dozens," Gatenyu said, and estimated the killer is either a sex offender or a terrorist.
"Today there are more things that can be done. We sent evidence to England for examination, but nothing came out of it," said the former investigator.
The remains of 12-year-old Elimelech, who was murdered some 37 years ago was exhumed Sunday after police said they have made new discoveries in the case. A gag order was put on the new details.
Elimelech was last seen leaving her home in the city of Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, on Saturday afternoon, March 20th, 1982. She left a note for her parents who were resting, saying "I went to visit a friend, don't worry."
Elimelech was wearing red pants and a matching shirt. Her sister was the last one to talk to her when they met under the building, on the girl's way out to visit her friend.
The parents became anxious soon after, when the friend's mother called Elimelech's home and said she had never arrived for the planned visit. The family called the police, but efforts to locate the girl only started that evening.
Thousands of people joined the police search, Elimelech's photo was distributed, and police dogs sniffed the nearby dunes in vain.
Ten days later, the gruesome tale began to unfold: a bag containing the head the thigh of a teen drifted to a beach in the north of Tel Aviv, and quickly identified as the remains of Elimelech. Several days passed and more body parts drifted to shore, as the country was engulfed in hysteria over the haunting details of the case.
The Tel Aviv Central Police Unit was responsible for the investigation, but no lead was found. Life guards, boat owners and regular visitors to the beach were all questioned, but no one had seen a man carrying suspicious looking bags wandering around the beach.
Nava's 90-year-old mother, Mazal Elimelech, told Ynet that the family has agreed "to do anything to get to the truth, just to know who the killer is, who did this atrocity."
"I'll give my life, my family's life, our joy, anything to so we can get to the person who did it," said the mother.
She added that she doesn't have an idea who could have killed her daughter, but says she believes the friend Nava went to visit and the mother of the friend know.
"I'm almost certain that the friend and her mother know everything, but don't want to tell the truth. The girl (Nava) left the apartment and Tali (the friend) called me and I told her that 'Nava left a note, she's on her way to you," says Mazal.
"Tali said she was worried, that Nava never came, and after that she was caught, and she started screaming 'why cry over spilled milk.' Why did she have to say those things?" asks the mother of the victim.
Several years later, the than chief of staff Rafael "Raful" Eitan hinted that Palestinians were behind the murder, as a kind of initiation to join a terror organization. The theory quickly buried.
Researchers maintained that the killer wasn't acting on his own, since the body was sawed and moved from the murder scene to different beach locations. But no lead was discovered.
With no key suspect, the case was forgotten until 1998, when the ex-wife of a man named Yehuda Shelef claimed he had confessed to her for the murder of Elimelech. Police arrested him and his brother, searched his home and excavated the yard but found nothing, and the brothers were released.
That was the last the Israeli public heard of Nava Elimelech.
In past cases when an exhumation was ordered, the police had already had a key suspect in hand. "No officer would have taken a chance with an exhumation without having substantial suspicions," said an unnamed source who knows the investigation details.
Such dramatic orders were given in the murder case of Noa Eyal, who's murderer Daniel Nachmani was arrested 21 years after the 1998 murder, following new DNA evidence.
Elimelech's mother signed a document permitting to exhume her child's remains on Sunday, from a cemetery located in the Bat Yam and Holon border.
"No one told me anything," the mother says about the new information that led to the exhumation. "I wish I knew, and I hope they will know."
Mazal says that despite the long years, her daughter is still present in her life. "The house is full of pictures. I keep imagining the door opening, and in comes Nava, coming back from school. I still have this hope, I can't sleep at nights. She was a special girl, so kind hearted."
Eliezer Yair, who was a teacher at Elimelech's school for years, said that she was "a charming and good-natured girl, pretty and responsible, who always told her parents what she was up to."
"She wasn't the adventurous kind," Yair added, "she came from a good home with supportive parents and a supportive family. She was a hard-working student and very sportive, all the teachers were in love with her, since she had such a friendly character. Nava was a kind soul."
"We were shocked, all the students and staff. We didn’t know how to process it — first the disappearance and then the finding of the body. I was a gym teacher and we held a race in her honor every year after that, with her family present."
Retired police commander Isaac Gatenyu was part of the investigation team in 1982, and said "the case was the biggest, and most sensitive case of the Israel police at the time."
"My role was to go threw sex offenders, I checked hundreds and investigated dozens," Gatenyu said, and estimated the killer is either a sex offender or a terrorist.
"Today there are more things that can be done. We sent evidence to England for examination, but nothing came out of it," said the former investigator.
30 july 2019
The British teen after her arrest
Remand of 19-year-old who falsely accused Israeli teens of assault is extended by eight days as her lawyer slams distribution of videos of her having sex as 'criminal offence far more severe than what my client is facing'
A Cyprus court indicted Tuesday a 19-year-old British teen for perjury and offending public sensibilities, after she admitted to falsely accusing 12 Israeli teens of gang-raping her in the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa on July 17.
The teen's remand was extended by eight days; the maximum sentence for the charges she is facing is a year of incarceration, with or without an added fine.
"We have to wait until we get all the evidence, and after that we'll take a decision," said the teen's lawyer. "Videos of her are now online, and I want to draw your attention that distributing these videos is a criminal offence far more severe than what my client is facing, and that raises questions about who published these videos."
The hearing on the teens' indictment was postponed on Monday, after her attorney arrived late to the island.
Throughout the court discussion the teen remained silent. Her family accompanied her but refused to answer questions from the press.
The case began to unfold late Saturday evening when the main investigator, Marius Christiano, arrived at the hotel the British teenager was staying with her family.
He confronted the UK teen with all the DNA evidence as well videos of her having seemingly consensual sexual intercourse with the accused men. The young woman struggled to provide credible answers and eventually confessed to have fabricated the story about assault and arrested early Sunday.
"Everything was consensual,” the woman apparently said to the investigator. “I went into their room because I meant to have sex with them," she said, adding that she wanted “revenge” after one of the Israelis told her to leave after she’d refused to have sex with him.
The teen said she met up with some of her friends after she left the room. "I told them I had been raped and they took me to the local clinic where we called the police. I told them I had been raped. The police came and arrested all the Israelis.”
Remand of 19-year-old who falsely accused Israeli teens of assault is extended by eight days as her lawyer slams distribution of videos of her having sex as 'criminal offence far more severe than what my client is facing'
A Cyprus court indicted Tuesday a 19-year-old British teen for perjury and offending public sensibilities, after she admitted to falsely accusing 12 Israeli teens of gang-raping her in the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa on July 17.
The teen's remand was extended by eight days; the maximum sentence for the charges she is facing is a year of incarceration, with or without an added fine.
"We have to wait until we get all the evidence, and after that we'll take a decision," said the teen's lawyer. "Videos of her are now online, and I want to draw your attention that distributing these videos is a criminal offence far more severe than what my client is facing, and that raises questions about who published these videos."
The hearing on the teens' indictment was postponed on Monday, after her attorney arrived late to the island.
Throughout the court discussion the teen remained silent. Her family accompanied her but refused to answer questions from the press.
The case began to unfold late Saturday evening when the main investigator, Marius Christiano, arrived at the hotel the British teenager was staying with her family.
He confronted the UK teen with all the DNA evidence as well videos of her having seemingly consensual sexual intercourse with the accused men. The young woman struggled to provide credible answers and eventually confessed to have fabricated the story about assault and arrested early Sunday.
"Everything was consensual,” the woman apparently said to the investigator. “I went into their room because I meant to have sex with them," she said, adding that she wanted “revenge” after one of the Israelis told her to leave after she’d refused to have sex with him.
The teen said she met up with some of her friends after she left the room. "I told them I had been raped and they took me to the local clinic where we called the police. I told them I had been raped. The police came and arrested all the Israelis.”
27 july 2019
Mexico's top police official won't say which crime organization may have been involved in the brazen assault, which included a diversionary attack with an assault rifle against police outside the high-end mall in which the killing took place
Mexican officials say the shooting death of two Israelis at an upscale shopping mall in Mexico City on Wednesday is likely linked to drug cartels and money laundering.
Mexico's top police official won't say which cartel may have been involved in the brazen assault, which included a diversionary attack with an assault rifle against police outside the mall.
"There are links to Mexican criminal organizations, mainly (for) money laundering," Public Safety Secretary Alfonso Durazo said Friday.
The two Israelis, one of whom was a well-known felon who had spent many years in Israeli prison, were shot dead and two others, including a local police officer, were wounded during the shooting at Hunan restaurant.
The police have the murder suspect - identified as 33-year old Esperanza Gutiérrez Rojano - in custody. She reportedly donned a blond wig disguise for the shooting.
Though she initially claimed the killings were a crime of passion, prosecutors say she later changed her story.
Initial findings of the investigation show that Rojano sat in the restaurant a few meters away from the Israeli victims and shot them both in the back, causing panic among the patrons.
She told police that she had purchased the murder weapon for 7,000 Mexican Pesos (approx. $368).
Mexican officials say the shooting death of two Israelis at an upscale shopping mall in Mexico City on Wednesday is likely linked to drug cartels and money laundering.
Mexico's top police official won't say which cartel may have been involved in the brazen assault, which included a diversionary attack with an assault rifle against police outside the mall.
"There are links to Mexican criminal organizations, mainly (for) money laundering," Public Safety Secretary Alfonso Durazo said Friday.
The two Israelis, one of whom was a well-known felon who had spent many years in Israeli prison, were shot dead and two others, including a local police officer, were wounded during the shooting at Hunan restaurant.
The police have the murder suspect - identified as 33-year old Esperanza Gutiérrez Rojano - in custody. She reportedly donned a blond wig disguise for the shooting.
Though she initially claimed the killings were a crime of passion, prosecutors say she later changed her story.
Initial findings of the investigation show that Rojano sat in the restaurant a few meters away from the Israeli victims and shot them both in the back, causing panic among the patrons.
She told police that she had purchased the murder weapon for 7,000 Mexican Pesos (approx. $368).
25 july 2019
'I don’t know what they did, or if they did anything. I know nothing,' says one of the teens who were released about the others who remain detained; 'this is the first sign of the cracks in the complainant's version' says teens' attorney, while Cyprus police considers complainant's testimony reliable
Five Israeli teens who were suspected of gang-raping a British woman in a Cyprus holiday resort were released Thursday from detention while seven others remain jailed.
The teens were released after DNA results ruled them out and in light of a lack of other evidence to back the rape victim's case.
One suspect said after his release that he doesn’t know if the rest of the detainees are guilty: "I don’t know what they did, if they did anything. I know nothing," he said.
The teen thanked his friends in Israel for supporting him: "I appreciate all of them, they did a lot for me, " he said.
"This is the first sign of the cracks in the complainant's version," said attorney Nir Yaslovitz who represents some of the teens.
"The police accepted their version of events and they will soon come home," said Yaniv Havery, an attorney representing some of the detained suspects.
One of the teens' parents said his family is happy the truth came out: "We knew all along that our son didn’t do anything. We hope to quickly bring him home and put this behind us."
The British teen is still in Cyprus and gave another testimony on Tuesday. The Cyprus police considers her version reliable, despite attempts to disqualify her version of events by different factors.
The three key suspects in the gang-rape were questioned on Tuesday and claimed they only watched their friend have sex with the victim and did not participate. They are also suspected of a conspiracy to commit a crime.
Five Israeli teens who were suspected of gang-raping a British woman in a Cyprus holiday resort were released Thursday from detention while seven others remain jailed.
The teens were released after DNA results ruled them out and in light of a lack of other evidence to back the rape victim's case.
One suspect said after his release that he doesn’t know if the rest of the detainees are guilty: "I don’t know what they did, if they did anything. I know nothing," he said.
The teen thanked his friends in Israel for supporting him: "I appreciate all of them, they did a lot for me, " he said.
"This is the first sign of the cracks in the complainant's version," said attorney Nir Yaslovitz who represents some of the teens.
"The police accepted their version of events and they will soon come home," said Yaniv Havery, an attorney representing some of the detained suspects.
One of the teens' parents said his family is happy the truth came out: "We knew all along that our son didn’t do anything. We hope to quickly bring him home and put this behind us."
The British teen is still in Cyprus and gave another testimony on Tuesday. The Cyprus police considers her version reliable, despite attempts to disqualify her version of events by different factors.
The three key suspects in the gang-rape were questioned on Tuesday and claimed they only watched their friend have sex with the victim and did not participate. They are also suspected of a conspiracy to commit a crime.
Esperanza Gutiérrez Rojano suspected of murdering two Israeli men in Mexico City
One of the victims is well-known felon who'd spent years in Israeli prison; female suspect, who was detained by the police, claims to have been motivated by romantic interests; authorities are investigating whether her actions are connected to settling of scores among criminals
Two Israeli citizens, one of whom a well-known felon who'd spent many years in Israeli prison, were shot dead early Thursday at a restaurant in Mexico's capital.
Two others, including a local police officer, were wounded during the shooting at "Hunan" luxury restaurant in Mexico City.
The police have the murder suspect - identified as 33-year old Esperanza Gutiérrez Rojano - in custody. The woman told police she had killed her partner, a famous oulaw because she suspected he was unfaithful to her.
The police however are checking other avenues of investigation including the possibility that the murder was part of a settling of scores between criminals.
Initial findings of the investigation show that Rojano sat in the restaurant a few meters away from the Israeli victims and shot them both in the back, causing panic among the patrons.
Two other people were said to have helped her, but both fled the scene and police are examining security camera footage in their efforts to track the them down.
The suspect told officers that she had purchased the murder weapon for 7,000 Mexican Pesos (NIS 1,300 or $368).
The incident comes one day after Erez Akrishevsky, a convicted felon who had escaped prison 18 years ago and had lived in Mexico under the assumed identity of Ricardo Lopez, was detained in Israel. He was captured in Cancun earlier this week in a joint operation of local and Israeli police.
Latin America has become a haven for Israeli fugitives of justice and Akrishevsky was in close contact with other criminals who had gone to ground after run in's with the law in Israel and had ties with local crime organizations in Mexico and elsewhere, enjoying their protection and cooperating with them.
One of the victims is well-known felon who'd spent years in Israeli prison; female suspect, who was detained by the police, claims to have been motivated by romantic interests; authorities are investigating whether her actions are connected to settling of scores among criminals
Two Israeli citizens, one of whom a well-known felon who'd spent many years in Israeli prison, were shot dead early Thursday at a restaurant in Mexico's capital.
Two others, including a local police officer, were wounded during the shooting at "Hunan" luxury restaurant in Mexico City.
The police have the murder suspect - identified as 33-year old Esperanza Gutiérrez Rojano - in custody. The woman told police she had killed her partner, a famous oulaw because she suspected he was unfaithful to her.
The police however are checking other avenues of investigation including the possibility that the murder was part of a settling of scores between criminals.
Initial findings of the investigation show that Rojano sat in the restaurant a few meters away from the Israeli victims and shot them both in the back, causing panic among the patrons.
Two other people were said to have helped her, but both fled the scene and police are examining security camera footage in their efforts to track the them down.
The suspect told officers that she had purchased the murder weapon for 7,000 Mexican Pesos (NIS 1,300 or $368).
The incident comes one day after Erez Akrishevsky, a convicted felon who had escaped prison 18 years ago and had lived in Mexico under the assumed identity of Ricardo Lopez, was detained in Israel. He was captured in Cancun earlier this week in a joint operation of local and Israeli police.
Latin America has become a haven for Israeli fugitives of justice and Akrishevsky was in close contact with other criminals who had gone to ground after run in's with the law in Israel and had ties with local crime organizations in Mexico and elsewhere, enjoying their protection and cooperating with them.
23 july 2019
Unnamed man was found guilty in 2001 of attempted murder in Tel Aviv underworld hit; believed to have spent most of his time since his escape hiding in South Africa
A convicted criminal who fled an Israeli prison has been arrested in Mexico, 18 years after he escaped.
The unnamed man, who vanished in 2001, was found guilty of attempted murder and given a lengthy jail sentence.
The fugitive fled abroad and, according to police intelligence, spent many years in South Africa.
It was only when he turned up in Mexico, apparently for a visit, that he was arrested.
According to Israel Police, the convicted man shot and seriously wounded a father and son in the area of Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.
The shooting was apparently connected to the settling of scores in Israel's underworld.
The criminal, who shot the two men at close range, went underground after the assassination attempt and his trail disappeared.
He was subsequently arrested in Jerusalem disguised as an ultra-Orthodox Jew, and was apparently on the verge of fleeing to the United States with an American passport.
He was convicted and sentenced for the crime before successfully managing to escape.
A convicted criminal who fled an Israeli prison has been arrested in Mexico, 18 years after he escaped.
The unnamed man, who vanished in 2001, was found guilty of attempted murder and given a lengthy jail sentence.
The fugitive fled abroad and, according to police intelligence, spent many years in South Africa.
It was only when he turned up in Mexico, apparently for a visit, that he was arrested.
According to Israel Police, the convicted man shot and seriously wounded a father and son in the area of Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.
The shooting was apparently connected to the settling of scores in Israel's underworld.
The criminal, who shot the two men at close range, went underground after the assassination attempt and his trail disappeared.
He was subsequently arrested in Jerusalem disguised as an ultra-Orthodox Jew, and was apparently on the verge of fleeing to the United States with an American passport.
He was convicted and sentenced for the crime before successfully managing to escape.
22 july 2019
Line up dependent on British rape victim's mental state; new suspicion could affect teens whose DNA isn’t directly linked to the rape
The 12 Israeli teens suspected of raping a 19-year-old tourist in Cyprus are also suspected of conspiring top commit a crime, said an unnamed source who's involved in the investigation.
The 17-18-year-old suspects were arrested last week in the resort town of Ayia Napa, for suspicion of gang-raping a British woman in a hotel room where she and the group were staying.
The suspects' attorney said that the conspiracy to commit a crime suspicion could also affect the teens whose DNA will not be found on the rape victim's body. He added that he is in contact with the suspects' parents and is working on a legal strategy for the case.
At this time, one team is leading the investigation and suspects are held in different facilities in Cyprus; several have still not been questioned and DNA results are still not in yet.
An unnamed source said Monday that the Cyprus Police means to hold a line-up with 60 foils once the rape victim is in better mental shape. Local media said it is expected to take place Tuesday.
The 12 Israeli teens suspected of raping a 19-year-old tourist in Cyprus are also suspected of conspiring top commit a crime, said an unnamed source who's involved in the investigation.
The 17-18-year-old suspects were arrested last week in the resort town of Ayia Napa, for suspicion of gang-raping a British woman in a hotel room where she and the group were staying.
The suspects' attorney said that the conspiracy to commit a crime suspicion could also affect the teens whose DNA will not be found on the rape victim's body. He added that he is in contact with the suspects' parents and is working on a legal strategy for the case.
At this time, one team is leading the investigation and suspects are held in different facilities in Cyprus; several have still not been questioned and DNA results are still not in yet.
An unnamed source said Monday that the Cyprus Police means to hold a line-up with 60 foils once the rape victim is in better mental shape. Local media said it is expected to take place Tuesday.
18 july 2019
Cyprus police
According to documents presented at a court hearing in Cyprus, the woman had scratches on her lower limbs; she'd met one of the suspects sometime prior to incident and had engaged in sexual relations with him on multiple occasions
Multiple scratches were found on a body of a British woman who alleged rape against 12 Israeli teens in Cyprus, stated the documents presented at a court hearing on Thursday.
A Cyprus police official on Tuesday said 12 Israelis aged 16-18 have been detained after a 19-year-old woman alleged that she was raped in the resort town of Ayia Napa. The remand of the young men was to be extended by at least a week by a Famagusta district court during Thursday’s hearing in order to allow the DNA evidence they’ve provided to be examined.
"The victim had scratches on her lower limbs," said the documents. "According to our estimates, the scratches are a result of trauma." In addition, the documents stated the 19-year-old woman met one of the suspects three days prior to the alleged attack and had engaged in sexual relations with the teen on multiple occasions.
Earlier reports in the Cypriot media said the woman claimed the young men held her down and filmed the sexual assault while she screamed. According to the reports, the woman was with one of the suspects at a party and had agreed to go to his hotel room at around 3:00am. The alleged victim claims that once inside, 11 other teens entered the room and proceeded to rape the woman.
The reports also suggest the local police so far haven’t gathered enough evidence to implicate all 12 of the teens in the assault.
"The Israelis were drunk … I'm sure she was raped,” said one victim’s friends who also attended the party. “I know her, she wouldn't sleep with 12 men. I hope those involved will be harshly punished.”
Attorney Nir Yeslovich, who represents two of the suspects, said that nine out of 12 teens deny having any sexual relations with the 19-year-old woman.
The lawyers claims only three of the accused men have admitted to having sex with the British teen and all three claim the act was consentual.
The Foreign Ministry and the local Israeli envoy has been in touch with the suspects and their families.
Ayia Napa is very popular with younger tourists for its pristine beaches and vibrant nightlife.
According to documents presented at a court hearing in Cyprus, the woman had scratches on her lower limbs; she'd met one of the suspects sometime prior to incident and had engaged in sexual relations with him on multiple occasions
Multiple scratches were found on a body of a British woman who alleged rape against 12 Israeli teens in Cyprus, stated the documents presented at a court hearing on Thursday.
A Cyprus police official on Tuesday said 12 Israelis aged 16-18 have been detained after a 19-year-old woman alleged that she was raped in the resort town of Ayia Napa. The remand of the young men was to be extended by at least a week by a Famagusta district court during Thursday’s hearing in order to allow the DNA evidence they’ve provided to be examined.
"The victim had scratches on her lower limbs," said the documents. "According to our estimates, the scratches are a result of trauma." In addition, the documents stated the 19-year-old woman met one of the suspects three days prior to the alleged attack and had engaged in sexual relations with the teen on multiple occasions.
Earlier reports in the Cypriot media said the woman claimed the young men held her down and filmed the sexual assault while she screamed. According to the reports, the woman was with one of the suspects at a party and had agreed to go to his hotel room at around 3:00am. The alleged victim claims that once inside, 11 other teens entered the room and proceeded to rape the woman.
The reports also suggest the local police so far haven’t gathered enough evidence to implicate all 12 of the teens in the assault.
"The Israelis were drunk … I'm sure she was raped,” said one victim’s friends who also attended the party. “I know her, she wouldn't sleep with 12 men. I hope those involved will be harshly punished.”
Attorney Nir Yeslovich, who represents two of the suspects, said that nine out of 12 teens deny having any sexual relations with the 19-year-old woman.
The lawyers claims only three of the accused men have admitted to having sex with the British teen and all three claim the act was consentual.
The Foreign Ministry and the local Israeli envoy has been in touch with the suspects and their families.
Ayia Napa is very popular with younger tourists for its pristine beaches and vibrant nightlife.
