Israeli Gymnastics Coach Faces New Sexual Assault Charges from Two More Minors

Evgeny Yordanov, a gymnastics coach from Kiryat Ono, has been charged with sexually assaulting two additional minor gymnasts while coaching Israel's national floor and apparatus gymnastics team. This new indictment follows last month's charges against Yordanov for raping two other minor sisters he coached in Petah Tikva's municipal apparatus gymnastics team. According to the charges, Yordanov would intoxicate the girls and, in one incident, allegedly threatened one with a knife to commit indecent acts. The prosecution has requested his detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Yordanov was arrested after two sisters who trained under him reported abuse dating back to when they were 11 years old. In one of the more severe incidents, the coach reportedly used a knife to coerce sexual acts. Yordanov has denied all allegations, claiming the accusations are fabricated to harm his business before the competition season. He told police, "There was never anything. They come from problematic backgrounds and want to destroy my business and my life."

Police sources acknowledged the investigation faces challenges, as the alleged offenses occurred abroad several years ago. Authorities hope that publicizing Yordanov's name will encourage additional victims to come forward.