Man sentenced to 11 years in jail for 'Clockwork Orange-like acts'
Arik Shechter, 25, submitted an elderly woman to three hours of torture; victim says sentence too short.
By Fadi Eyadat Tags: Israel courtsHaifa District Court on Wednesday sentenced Arik Shechter, 25, to 11 years in prison and for brutally attacking elderly citizen and Holocaust survivor Ita Fogel. He was also ordered to pay Fogel 20,000 shekels in compensation.
Shechter was also handed a two-year suspended sentence.
In his verdict, the presiding judge wrote that Shechter had submitted Fogel to "Clockwork Orange-like acts" for three hours. He described Shechter's actions as a "repeat of Sodom and Gemorrah, expressed through physical and emotional abuse."
"Though we have grown accustomed to malicious acts of violence, it seems this time the defendant crossed all boundaries in the type and duration of his acts, and in his choice of victim."
Shechter and two other defendants were charged with breaking into Fogel's apartment and beating and torturing her over the course of three hours. Fogel was hospitalized in intensive care at Rambam Hospital in Haifa, where she spent over a month under anesthesia hooked up to a respirator. She also suffered from pneumonia and serious respiratory problems long after the attack.
Shechter and fellow assailants Stefan Borisvicho and a third man arrived at Fogel's house after hearing that she kept a large sum of money hidden there.
The three caused a power outage in the building, waited for Fogel to exit her apartment for the stairwell where they attacked her and forced their way into the apartment.
The three defendants then tortured Fogel after they were unable to find any money in her house.
Borisvicho allegedly gagged Fogel's mouth with tape, beat her and poured bleach on her. Later on, the suspects doused Figo in water and applied electric shocks to her body.
Shechter was arrested two weeks ago after his picture was broadcast by national media.
Fogel expressed deep resentment at the sentence, saying she had expected Shechter would receive 20 to 25 years and the court had been lenient with him. "I feel no relief, and the punishment isn't enough compared to what I'm still going through," she said.
Fogel said she is not able to sleep at night and has lost her independence. She refused to accept Shechter's apology in court saying that he "ruined my life," adding that she spent six months in rehab and is still undergoing treatment for the trauma caused by the attack.
"It hurts and angers me. I can't forget and I can't sleep. This must not be allowed to pass unnoticed," added Fogel.
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The so called "Justice" system is a joke, This is not justice, my heart goes out to the victim of this horrendeous crime. She fled from the hollocaust only to be tortured by a fellow jew. This is a black day for justice.
As a Jew, I think of the discount. Eleven years means less, maybe 5-6 "with good behavior". And this is not justice. The crime was a kind of gruesome gang rape, cold blooded and merciless. Like Ms Fogel, I'd be sceptical of the perpetrators' easy remorse. Let them earn their remorse, the hard way. My heartfelt best wishes to the courageous Ita Fogel!
i say we trade him for Gilad shalit, and let the palestinians keep him in their gaza clockwork orange for a few years, after 11 years, we will exchange him for 1 or 2 palestinian pensioners
Slightly extreme Mike - however, I do feel the only way to combat this sort of extreme violence is to toughen sentencing. Sure more social work needs to be done, and alleviating poverty but to be honest - whatever the situation people will do this unless they really have something to fear. I think there should be a distinction between an act of rage (although obv still not go unpunished) and a concerted attempt to cause prolonged harm such as this incident. I call for sentencing for 15-20 years plus serious compensation to the victim for premeditated Gross Bodily Harm / Torture. This must be combined obviously, with psychological sessions. However, the time is punishment enough - the prisons themselves should not be made to tough as this can breed more hatred and anger. Take note from the treatment of The Clockwork Orange delinquent in the book - and its failure to be effective.
He and his 2 accomplices should be deposited in gaza with Meir Kahane posters plastered on their backs. What a wonderful world it would be, if I were allowed to pronounce punishment on these types of monsters, instead of some liberal judge.
hang the bastards!
It is sickening to the leinency bestow on this filth.Have our judges gone completely bonkers.These animals should be given a minimum 25years hard labour and also castirated.
seems to be right
The sentence more than the crime! This what not hooliganism,nor vandalism.These thugs should be put away for a very long time. A background of zero values! What mind could calculate such a viscious act and especially on an elderly person? Quite horrific! No amount of money would be ample compensation for the way in which Mrs Fogel suffered. The parents of the accused should be
Send these deffective units back to the factory.