Last update - 00:00 16/11/2006
J'lem police arrest father, two sons suspected of raping 2 girls
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
A Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Thursday extended by six days the remands of a father and two sons suspected of raping two girls aged six and twelve.
The father was arrested on Wednesday after a social worker and a teacher at the complainants' school brought the case to the attention of the police.
Two investigators questioned the girls who claimed the three family members had sexually abused them on an individual basis over a period of years.
In his interrogation, the father admitted to committing some of the claims but denied having raped the girls. The testimony of the two brothers, aged 17 and 13, corresponded with the claims of the younger complainant and strengthened allegations towards the father.
During a court hearing, the mother of the family said she suspected her husband and sons had assaulted the complainants and had spoken to the city welfare department on the matter.
Judge Karmi Musak who presided over the hearing issued a gag order prohibiting the publication of the suspects' names.
"From the evidence arises a reasonable suspicion towards the suspect," Musak said. "There is no need to say that these are offenses that pose a threat to society."