Journalist suspected of raping teen boy named as Ynet’s Yoav Zitun

The well-known journalist accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is identified as Yoav Zitun, military correspondent for the Hebrew-language daily Yedioth Ahronoth and the Ynet news site, after a gag order on his name expired.

Zitun is accused of raping a 15-year-old he met on the dating app Grindr last week. The alleged assault took place on Tuesday afternoon, after the minor invited him to his home. He is suspected of having then forced himself on the boy.

The reporter was arrested and brought Thursday evening to the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court, where a judge extended his detention by four days and issued a gag order on his name lasting 36 hours, until tonight.

In the hearing, the police’s representative argued Zitun was aware of the minor’s age based on correspondence found on the teen’s phone. He denies the severe charges, calling the complainant’s version of events “easy to refute,” according to Walla.