Knife-Point Abduction
Jerusalem Night of Terror: Man Attempts to Rape and Kidnap 2 Girls Just Hours Apart
A 22-year-old Jerusalem man has been indicted for a night of violence, including attempting to rape one woman near Park HaMesila and then kidnapping and threatening a second victim with a large knife until she managed to jump from his moving car.
A 22-year-old Jerusalem man, Meir Amrani, has been charged with two separate, violent sexual assaults, including attempted rape and kidnapping, against two different women on the same night in November. The harrowing incidents unfolded in public areas of the capital, culminating in a dramatic escape by one of the victims.
An indictment was filed today, Sunday, by the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office, detailing the charges against Amrani, which include attempted rape, kidnapping, and possession of a knife with a 24-cm blade. The prosecution has requested that Amrani be held in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
Attack 1: Ambush at Park HaMesila
The indictment, presented by attorney Yael Igra, details the first attack shortly after 1:00 AM on November 4th. The victim, identified as N., had separated from her friend and was walking alone on Railway Street toward Park HaMesila (The Train Track Park).
According to the charges, Amrani followed N., then suddenly grabbed her, threw her onto the pavement, and pinned her body to the ground. Despite N.'s resistance, Amrani covered her mouth and nose with his hand, restricting her breathing, and violently attempted to remove her pants to sexually assault her. Fortunately, a passerby intervened, causing Amrani to immediately flee the scene. N. suffered bruises to her leg and abdomen.
Attack 2: Abduction and Knife Threat
Undeterred, Amrani allegedly continued his pursuit of another victim hours later. A second victim, identified as Y., was walking alone near Park HaMesila when Amrani, waiting at a bus stop, approached her and offered to drive her to her destination, the Rehavia neighborhood. Y. entered the vehicle after Amrani confirmed her requested detour to Ein Kerem was on his route.
However, upon reaching the Ein Kerem roundabout, Amrani did not stop and instead accelerated down the road. Y.'s suspicions grew, and when she tried to exit the moving vehicle, Amrani slid out his 24-cm knife and threatened her, forcing her back into the seat.
In a desperate attempt to escape, Y. opened the door again, partially throwing her upper body out of the moving car. Due to the high speed, she was violently thrown onto the road. Amrani stopped the vehicle, grabbed her, and forcefully pulled her back inside. During the rest of the drive, the indictment claims Amrani held Y.'s hand and mouth, hindering her breathing, while continuing to drive at high speed and attempting to insert his hand into her pants.
Near an intersection, Y. managed to open the door one last time, throw herself out of the car, and run to safety. Bystanders quickly noticed her distress and immediately called the police, leading to Amrani's arrest.