Criminal9/7/2026

Suspect in Sex Offenses Against Girls Released Under Restrictive Conditions

Police released Erez Aviad Cohen, a 37-year-old Holon resident suspected of sex offenses against minors. He was required to refrain from contacting those involved in the case and to report for questioning upon request; the investigation is ongoing.

Key facts

•Suspect: Erez Aviad Cohen, 37, Holon
•Court: Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court
•Arrest: September 1
•Detention extended until September 8
•The case identifies four complainants aged 9–12
•The case number and specific statutory provisions were not provided

What Cohen Is Suspected Of

Cohen was arrested on September 1 on suspicion of sexual harassment in the form of repeated propositions or repeated remarks of a sexual nature directed at a minor or helpless person. He is also suspected of committing an indecent act against a minor whose consent was allegedly obtained by fraud. According to the police account, since April he had posed as a 12-year-old girl and joined WhatsApp groups whose members included girls under the age of ten.

Investigation Findings

Police said the case involves four complainants aged 9 to 12. A laptop was seized at the suspect's home, and a mobile phone was also seized later. In addition, suspicion arose of obstruction of investigative proceedings: police believe the phone's contents were deleted before the device was handed over to investigators, but Cohen claimed that the phone had not been in his possession.

Release Before the Hearing

The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court had previously extended Cohen's detention until September 8. After reviewing the materials collected and conducting further questioning, police released him from detention before the scheduled court hearing. The release conditions prohibit him from contacting those involved in the case and require him to report for questioning upon request.

The Defense's Position and Case Status

Attorneys Isabel Fox and Omer Adiri said the release confirms that there is no basis for the suspicions. However, the report does not indicate that the investigation has been closed or that the suspicions have been formally dropped: police are continuing to examine the materials collected. No indictment is mentioned in the source.

What this means for you

Release from detention under restrictive conditions is not equivalent to the closure of an investigation or an acquittal. A person in a similar situation must still comply with the restrictions imposed and report to the police upon request as long as investigative actions continue.

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Case analysis based on court rulings