Lawyer seeks evaluation for man accused of rape

A defense lawyer asked Tuesday that one of two brothers accused of raping a 14-year-old girl be sent to Eastern State Hospital for a mental evaluation, while the other faces three counts of rape and a charge of unlawful imprisonment.

The brothers, Ramadan Abbas, 19, and Salah Abbas, 23, appeared before Judge Annette Plese on Tuesday using a Somali interpreter via teleconference. Ramadan Abbas pleaded not guilty to the rape and imprisonment charges, while Salah Abbas’ defense asked that he undergo a mental evaluation.

The Abbas brothers reportedly met the victim and her friends at a thrift store parking lot on Oct. 21 and invited them back to an apartment near the 500 block of South Farr Road, according to Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The victim’s mother reported the rape later that day.

Bond for Ramadan Abbas was set at $150,000, and he is scheduled for a Dec. 24 trial date. Salah Abbas has a $100,000 bond.