Prosecutors Close Case Against Yuval Vilner Due to Insufficient Evidence

The State Prosecutor's Office announced on Thursday the closure of the investigation against Yuval Vilner, who was suspected of severely assaulting Shi-Li Atari and Naama Shahar. The decision was made due to insufficient evidence to bring the case to trial.

The investigation was initiated following complaints filed by the two women. In 2022, Atari reported that Vilner assaulted her in the parking lot of her apartment building in 2011. Concurrently, Shahar complained that Vilner assaulted her in October 2022 during a date.

During his interrogation, Vilner admitted to having relationships with both complainants but maintained that all interactions were consensual.

Shi-Li Atari reacted to the decision, stating that the case was not closed because her assault was disproven or Vilner was proven innocent, but because the prosecution believes there is insufficient evidence for a trial after so many years. She added that cases involving allegations of severe sexual assault are difficult to prove, and that the passage of time, evidence degradation, and alleged legal maneuvering by Vilner's attorney hindered the investigation. Atari concluded that a lack of evidence does not prove an offense did not occur, and that her memory gaps, which she attributes to the assault, should not be construed as consent.