The Southern Prosecutor’s Office filed indictments on Monday against two
brothers for sexual offenses, including rape and sodomy, against a number of
their nieces when they were as young as age six.
According to the
indictments in the Beersheba District Court, the crimes were perpetrated as far
back as 1976, sometimes over a period of consecutive years. The first round of
offenses allegedly occurred between 1976 and 1982.
But some of the crimes
occurred as recently as 2011, according to the indictments.
After many of
the attacks, the brothers would give their nieces money and candy and threaten
them that they could not tell anyone because it was their special secret,
according to the indictments.
Some of the alleged offenses happened so
long ago that they cannot be prosecuted because of the statute of
limitations.
One of the brothers previously served prison time for
similar offenses.
The brothers typically isolated their younger family
members in their homes where no one could come to help, according to the
prosecution.
Excuses the brothers allegedly used to draw their family
members into their homes included requests for help with cleaning and offers to
give them popsicles.
Once the victims were alone with one or both of the
brothers, they would forcibly rape them or commit other sexual acts with them
against their will, according to the prosecution.
Many of the alleged
incidents occurred around holidays such as Rosh Hashana and Succot when the
extended family came together.
There is a ban on publishing the names of
the brothers and their alleged victims.
The indictments were filed with
requests to hold the brothers in custody until the end of the proceedings.