Holon Resident Suspected of Sexual Offenses Against Minors Released from Custody
Erez Aviad Cohen, a 37-year-old Holon resident suspected of sexual offenses against minors, has been released from Abu Kabir detention under restrictive conditions despite recent police claims of stronger evidence.
Sudden Release from Abu Kabir
In a surprising turn of events, Erez Aviad Cohen, a 37-year-old resident of Holon suspected of committing sexual offenses against female minors, was released from the Abu Kabir detention facility on Monday. The release occurred after investigators reviewed the evidence gathered in the case and interrogated Cohen earlier in the morning.
Cohen was released under restrictive conditions, including a strict ban on contacting any individuals involved in the case and an obligation to report for questioning upon demand. The decision to release him was made ahead of a court hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday.
Police Claims of Obstruction
Only a day prior, the Israel Police presented a completely different picture at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, claiming that the suspicions against Cohen had strengthened. During Sunday's hearing, a police representative argued that in addition to the original offenses, Cohen was suspected of obstruction of justice for allegedly deleting the contents of his mobile phone before handing it over to investigators.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed suspicions that since April, Cohen had posed as a 12-year-old girl to gain access to WhatsApp groups containing girls under the age of 10. Commenting on the correspondence under review, the police representative stated in court:
"There is a discourse of solicitation, not coercion."
As part of the probe, investigators also took a statement from Cohen's partner. The suspect, who was interrogated twice, claimed that his mobile phone was not in his possession during the times in question.
Four Minors Aged 9 to 12
Cohen was arrested on September 1 on suspicion of sexual harassment involving repeated proposals or references of a sexual nature toward a minor or helpless individual, as well as committing an indecent act with a minor under consent obtained through deception.
During previous proceedings, police asserted they possessed evidence involving four complainants aged 9 to 12. A laptop and a mobile phone were seized from Cohen's home, and he provided investigators with the password to his computer.
His defense attorney, Omer Edri, argued that Cohen has no prior criminal record, has lived with his partner for the past year and a half, and has undergone rehabilitation. Edri also claimed that investigators called his client a "pedophile" during questioning, after which Cohen chose to maintain his right to silence.
Despite his detention being extended until September 8, police opted to release him under restrictive conditions on Monday. The investigation remains ongoing.
Defense attorneys Isabel Fox and Omer Edri issued a joint statement following the release:
"As we argued a few days ago, once the picture became clear, the suspicions would be refuted and our client would be released. Today, that is exactly what happened. Our client was released from the police station after it became clear that there is no basis for the allegations against him. We welcome the decision of the police, who examined the facts as they are and reached the necessary conclusion."
