A 22-year-old Petah Tikva resident was indicted by the Central District Court on Monday on charges of rape and committing an indecent act after allegedly forcing his way into a young woman's apartment and sexually assaulting her, according to an indictment filed by the State Attorney's Office.
According to the indictment, filed by attorney Tali Keret of the Central District Attorney's Office, the defendant, Adiel Eliyahu Michael Cohen, met the complainant several weeks ago while she was walking her dog late at night. After introducing himself and speaking with her, he suggested they walk together to a nearby park.
The indictment alleges that during the walk, Cohen asked the complainant personal questions of a sexual nature, held her hand, and hugged her despite her making it clear that she did not want any physical contact with him.
Prosecutors further allege that he then removed the dog's leash, took the complainant's cellphone, and placed a call from her phone to his own in order to save her number.
According to the indictment, Cohen later asked the complainant to sit with him on the grass. After she agreed, he allegedly grabbed her, pulled her toward him, touched her breast, and attempted to kiss her. She again told him she was not interested in him and refused his request to come to her apartment.
Cohen harassed the woman, forced his way into her home
After the complainant returned home, Cohen allegedly called her again. When she reiterated that she did not want him to come to her apartment, he told her that he was a survivor of the Nova music festival. According to the indictment, the complainant felt sorry for him and agreed to meet him only outside her apartment building.
However, prosecutors allege that Cohen had already reached the floor where she lived before she left her apartment. When she opened her front door and attempted to close it, he allegedly wedged his foot in the doorway, prevented her from shutting the door, and entered the apartment against her will.
The indictment further alleges that once inside the apartment, Cohen dragged a couch onto the balcony and positioned an inflatable pool in a manner that concealed what was taking place from people on the street.
Prosecutors allege that he then grabbed the complainant by the waist, forced her to sit on him despite her resistance, compelled her to perform oral sex, and raped her despite her repeated objections.
According to the indictment, after the alleged assault, Cohen apologized to the complainant and asked her whether she had enjoyed it.
Cohen deemed highly dangerous to the public, women in particular
Alongside the indictment, the State Attorney's Office requested that the court order Cohen to remain in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
In the detention request, Keret wrote that the alleged offenses were committed against a young woman whom Cohen had not previously known and that he repeatedly ignored her explicit statements that she did not want any physical contact with him.
According to the prosecution, the circumstances described in the indictment demonstrate that Cohen poses a high level of danger and raise a substantial concern that he could endanger the public, and women in particular, if released pending trial.