Israelis Eyal Shaty (C) and More Zohar (L), alleged members of a prostitution network, are pictured before a hearing at a court in Medellin, Colombia on December 10, 2018. AFP
Israelis Eyal Shaty (C) and More Zohar (L), alleged members of a prostitution network, are pictured before a hearing at a court in Medellin, Colombia on December 10, 2018. AFP
Israelis Eyal Shaty (C) and More Zohar (L), alleged members of a prostitution network, are pictured before a hearing at a court in Medellin, Colombia on December 10, 2018. AFP
Israelis Eyal Shaty (C) and More Zohar (L), alleged members of a prostitution network, are pictured before a hearing at a court in Medellin, Colombia on December 10, 2018. AFP

Colombia busts Israeli-run child sex network


  • English
  • Arabic

Colombian police have arrested six Israelis on charges of running a sex tourism operation that exploited underage girls, prosecutors said.

After a two-year investigation, Prosecutor General Nestor Humberto Martinez told reporters Sunday that agents have broken up "an Israeli mafia that exploited and used girls, adolescents and women as sex slaves in Colombia".

Two Colombians were also arrested in the sweep, Mr Martinez said. Arrest warrants were issued for eight other Israelis suspected of involvement in the child sex ring.

The "mafia" sold tour packages for Israelis with a destination to several Colombian cities that in reality was a front for sex services with minors, Mr Martinez said.

Among those arrested was Israeli alleged gang leader Mor Zohar, and a Colombian police officer said to have helped protect the gang.

The Israeli citizens all have Interpol Red Notices, the closest thing to an international arrest warrant, a statement read.

Officials seized assets belonging to the suspects worth $45 million, including properties used for the ring's activities.

The network was allegedly led by Israeli citizen Benyamin Mush, who has traveled in and out of Colombia and Central American countries, the statement read.

According to testimony obtained from victims, the minors received between $65 and $126 and were forced to belong to a WhatsApp group code-named after the Jewish holiday Purim.

_______________

Read more:

US seeks to condemn Hamas by name in landmark UN resolution

The twin strategies of violence crippling Gaza

UN to vote on US measure condemning Hamas

_______________

They were forced to attend drink and drug-fueled parties on yachts with Israeli tourists.

One of the Israelis is also being held in connection with the killing of an Israeli national in Colombia in 2016, which was believed to be an ordered hit after a financial dispute.

According to Israeli media reports, the ring set up hotels and hostels around Colombia to give their operation a front behind which it could operate. They then preyed on girls and boys from troubled backgrounds or who had financial problems to then force them into the illegal work.

One of the suspected ringleaders Assi Ben-Mosh set up a resort hotel that was popular with Israeli soldiers who had left the army and embarked on travel across the world. He and the other suspects are believed to have used proceeds from the ring to buy property and start new companies.

Police arrested 18 people at the Hotel Benjamin in July, accusing them of helping to run a sex ring and coercing girls from Colombia and Venezuela to work for them. They are believed to have recruited more than 200 girls.

The suspects, set to face a judge in the northwestern city of Medellin, face charges that include pimping minors, aggravated homicide, drug trafficking and money laundering.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Get Out

Director: Jordan Peele

Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford

Four stars

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

The specs

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm

Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km

On sale: now

Price: Dh149,000