Israel Closes Rape Case Against Musician Yuval Vilner Due to Lack of Evidence

The State Prosecutor's Office has closed the case against musician Yuval Vilner, who was suspected of raping Shi-Li Atari and sexually assaulting Naama Shahar. The decision was made Thursday evening due to insufficient evidence.

Vilner, 38, who moved to Berlin two years ago, returned to Israel for his investigation, was arrested upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, and subsequently questioned by police. The court had previously allowed his name to be published in May.

Shi-Li Atari, who testified that Vilner raped her, reacted to the closure, stating, "Lack of evidence is not proof that a crime did not occur, and the hole in my memory is not proof of consent." She added that the closure was not due to a finding of innocence or lack of assault, but because prosecutors deemed the evidence insufficient for trial after years had passed.

Atari further explained that cases involving suspected date rape drugs are difficult to prove, and that they had to fight for the case to be reopened. She noted that witnesses were located only after Vilner's lawyer had them sign legal affidavits before they were called for questioning. "Years have passed, evidence has been compromised, mistakes have been made, and in the end, the victim pays for them," she wrote.

She concluded, "Lack of evidence is not proof that a crime did not occur. And the hole in my memory is not proof of consent. On the contrary: the thing that was taken from me that night, the ability to remember, has now also become the thing that prevents me from receiving justice. If this is the system, Israel is not only 'struggling' to bring rapists to justice, it is teaching them exactly where the loopholes are to escape."