Man from Bat Yam Indicted for Raping Mentally Disabled Woman in Hotel

The Israeli State Prosecutor's Office filed charges on Thursday against Rafael Sherga, 51, from Bat Yam, accusing him of raping a 19-year-old woman with an intellectual disability in a hotel in Bat Yam about two weeks ago. The prosecution requested his detention until the conclusion of the legal proceedings. According to the indictment, Sherga met the young woman at a café in Bat Yam, where he introduced himself under a false name, claiming to be a 28-year-old massage therapist named Shlomo. He invited her for a massage and later persuaded her to accompany him to a hotel room in central Bat Yam, despite her initial refusal and preference to stay in the city.

The indictment alleges that during the car ride to the hotel, Sherga raped the woman and committed additional sexual offenses. At the hotel, he allegedly raped her multiple times, inflicted bodily harm, slapped her, and caused her pain. Family members called her several times during the incident, but Sherga instructed her not to answer. When she eventually did, her family sensed her distress and alerted the police, prompting Sherga to flee the scene.

The charges include aggravated rape, rape, indecent acts under circumstances of rape, and causing indecent acts under circumstances of rape, all allegedly committed without consent and exploiting the victim's intellectual disability. Sherga's detention was extended by four days following his arrest. The case is now before the Tel Aviv District Court.