JERUSALEM, May 8 (UPI) -- Israel's chief Sephardi rabbi has denied involvement in the kidnapping and beating of a youth who had a relationship with his daughter, Ha'aretz reported.
Rabbi Shlomo Amar issued an official statement denying involvement in the attack on the 17-year old Bnei Brak ultra-Orthodox youth who had a relationship with his 18-year-old daughter, Ayala. The teens reportedly met in an Internet chat room, but the Amar family disapproved of the relationship.
Ayala, her brother Meir, and their mother, Mazal, were arrested Thursday. Police said they have solid evidence the three were involved in the attack and they expect to have indictments soon. Meir, who police suspect was behind the attack, was jailed while a judge ordered house arrest for the two women.
The rabbi expressed his regret for the incident and said he would cooperate with the investigation. Police said they do not know if he was involved, but they plan to question him after he returns Tuesday from a trip to Thailand.
