3 family members suspected of abusing, chaining relative to cupboard

Police said Monday they had arrested a man and two women on suspicion they chained a family member to a cupboard for three days and abused her by denying her food or drink, and carrying out an indecent act by force.

The man, his wife, and his sister were detained last Thursday, police said in a statement. All three of the suspects and the victim are residents of the central coastal city of Bat Yam.

Police gave no motive for the abuse.

Police were first alerted when the male suspect, 44, was seen forcing the victim, 21, into his car on Haroshet Street in Bat Yam earlier that day. Officers traced the car and were able to rescue the woman, who is a relative of the main suspect. During an investigation details of her alleged imprisonment were revealed.

Investigators heard that a month earlier the main suspect had chained the woman by her legs to a cupboard in his home for a period of three days during which he apparently also beat her violently. During the captivity they denied her food and drink.

At nights, the wife of the suspect, 35, slept next to the captive. The wife and her sister-in law allegedly carried out an indecent act on the woman by force, police said.

On Friday the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court extended the suspects’ detention by three days. They are to appear before the court again on Monday for a hearing to extend their remand.