While Abid had confessed to the crime, he later claimed that he was innocent. Kikos's parents have also cast doubts on Abid's guilt.
Hanit Kikos, 17, of Ofakim, was hitching a ride to a friend’s birthday party in nearby Beersheba when she was allegedly accosted by Abid, a tractor driver from Rahat.
Police said Abid, who confessed to the crime, raped, killed and then buried Kikos at the Negev’s Dudaim garbage dump, where he worked.
JTA contributed to this report.