Former Driver and Ex-Police Officer Suspected of Raping 16-Year-Old in the Krayot

Albert Yishmailov of Kiryat Yam is suspected of raping a minor who ordered a taxi through the Gett app. According to suspicion, he diverted during the ride to an isolated area, raped the girl and threatened her. His detention was extended, and his lawyer said he “categorically denies any sexual intercourse.” Police are working to locate additional complainants.

The incident allegedly occurred in April, after the complainant, who knew the suspect from his work as a taxi driver, ordered a ride from him through the app. Police are searching for additional complainants.

According to the girl’s account, she ordered the ride as usual, but during the trip Yishmailov left the route and took her to an isolated area. There, according to suspicion, he committed serious sexual offenses against her against her will, taking advantage of his position and their prior acquaintance. After the incident, the suspect allegedly threatened her not to tell anyone what happened, and charged her for the ride through the app as usual.

Yishmailov, a former police officer and Border Police fighter with no criminal record, denies the allegations completely. His attorney, Asaf Cohen, said his client came to the investigation voluntarily, cooperated fully and even underwent a polygraph test on his own initiative. The lawyer claimed there are substantial contradictions in the girl’s version, and that she presented herself as someone who would soon turn 18. He also noted that app data shows the complainant took another ride with the suspect about two hours after the alleged incident.

People close to the girl strongly reject the suspect’s claims about her age. “It doesn’t make sense, he has known this girl since eighth grade,” said one of her acquaintances. “He picks her up from school, he has known her for years.” According to them, the girl’s appearance reveals her young age and it is hard to accept the claim that he thought she was an adult. “Physically the girl is very small, you can see she is tiny, she could never be 18,” the acquaintance added.

According to the complainant’s family members and friends, there are messages she sent to friends shortly after the incident in which she described being sexually assaulted. Another detail presented concerns the day after the incident, when the girl ordered a taxi through the app and, upon discovering that Yishmailov was the driver who accepted the ride, canceled it immediately. Those around her say this supports her account. It was also alleged that the driver used to call the girl “traitor” over the years and would ask about her.

Police initially requested a seven-day extension of his detention in order to carry out 15 investigative actions, arguing that the minor’s version is supported by additional evidence. Judge Orit Kantor ruled that there was reasonable grounds for suspicion and ordered Yishmailov’s detention extended until Friday, 12/06/26. Police said some of the investigative steps could be compromised if the suspect were released from custody.

Attorneys Yaniv Zussman and Sapir Bozaglo, who represent the girl, said in response that this is a serious case carried out by exploiting the suspect’s position as a taxi driver. “Our client showed exceptional courage when she chose to share and reveal what happened to her,” the attorneys said. “She did so despite threats from the suspect and under feelings of great fear and deep concern that she experienced.” The two called on other victims, male or female, who experienced a similar incident to contact the relevant authorities as soon as possible.