Former Taxi Driver and Ex-Police Officer Suspected of Raping 16-Year-Old

A court in Kiryat ruled on Monday that Albert Ishmailov, 33, from Kiryat Yam, can be publicly named as a former police officer who now works as a taxi driver, suspected of rape and indecent acts against a 16-year-old girl. The gag order was lifted at the request of ynet and other media outlets. His remand was extended for a third time, this time by three days.

According to police suspicion, Ishmailov picked up the teenager in his taxi, deviated from the route, raped her in a secluded area, and then threatened her. Police said two additional complaints against him were filed in recent days and are now under review.

During the hearing, police representative attorney Tzvika Amir asked to narrow the publication ban on the suspect’s name, saying, “The police did not leak anything from the investigation, and only today we agree to publish the suspect’s name and photo. Several additional complainants have already filed against the suspect, so we asked today to publish his name.”

Ishmailov’s lawyer, Tomer Naveh, opposed publication, arguing the investigation was “tainted” and that criminal elements were threatening his wife. He said his client is a former police officer with no criminal record and that any publication could harm the investigation. Judge Orit Kantor said the suspect was arrested on suspicion of raping a minor in April, committing indecent acts, threatening her and causing injury. She ruled that there was a public interest in publication, noted that additional complaints had emerged despite her earlier order, and said there was reasonable basis to believe the offenses occurred based on evidence gathered so far. She also said further investigative steps were still needed and extended the remand by three more days.