Prosecutors Close Rape Allegations Against Yuval Vilner Due to Lack of Evidence

The State Prosecutor's Office has informed Shi-Li Atari and Naama Shahar that their complaints against Yuval Vilner have been closed due to insufficient evidence. Vilner's name was cleared for publication in May, following a prolonged legal battle. The prosecution stated that after reviewing the investigation materials, there was not enough evidence to indict Vilner.

Atari expressed her disappointment, stating the case was closed not because she wasn't raped or because Vilner was proven innocent, but because insufficient evidence existed after so many years. She attributed the evidentiary challenges to the nature of the allegations and the passage of time, noting that cases involving suspected date rape drugs are difficult to prove. Atari also mentioned that witnesses were only located after Vilner's lawyer had them sign legal affidavits before they were questioned by police.

"The years have passed, the evidence has been damaged, mistakes were made, and in the end, the victim pays for them," Atari said. She criticized the handling of such cases, suggesting that Israel is not only struggling to prosecute rapists but is also showing them how to evade justice. She added that a "hole in my memory" due to the alleged assault should not be interpreted as consent, and that her impaired memory, taken from her that night, now prevents her from obtaining justice.

The Union of Centers for Victims of Sexual Assault also sharply criticized the prosecution's decision, calling it an "abandonment" and highlighting the ongoing struggle of law enforcement to handle complex sexual offense cases. The union stated that 81% of sexual offense cases in Israel are closed, mostly due to lack of evidence. They pointed to a significant gap between the evidentiary standards of the criminal justice system and how sexual assault, especially involving date rape drugs, can affect memory and the ability to provide a full account.

Orit Sulitsiano, CEO of the Union, called the decision "unthinkable" and a "terrible slap in the face" to Atari and Shahar. She emphasized that the case was closed for lack of evidence, not lack of guilt, and that the police investigation's negligence contributed significantly to this outcome. Sulitsiano asserted that Vilner harmed several women, causing them immense psychological damage, and that the system's failure, combined with the nature of sexual trauma, led to the case's closure. The union stressed that closing a case for lack of evidence does not equate to a finding of a false complaint.