The State Attorney's Office has filed a serious indictment against a 17-year-old minor for the offense of aggravated assault. According to reports, the incident occurred within a holding cell at the Nof HaGalil courthouse complex while the suspect and the victim were being held pending their respective court hearings. According to the testimony of Chief Warrant Officer Ben Chen, head of the Youth Division in the Valleys District, a dispute erupted between the two over a water queue during their time in the cell.
Police allege that the minor went to the corner of the cell, took a ceramic shard, and attacked his cellmate with it. This is a particularly unusual event, as the suspect attended a separate legal hearing and was subsequently released to his home. The fact that he allegedly committed the act inside the courthouse was only uncovered hours later, leading to his re-arrest. Police describe the assailant as aiming the stabs at sensitive areas of the body, including the head and neck, with the victim also sustaining injuries to his abdomen and ribs while attempting to defend himself.
The victim required medical treatment and stitches at the hospital after police and Israel Prison Service Nahshon unit personnel secured the scene. CWO Chen emphasized that the police view the teenager as dangerous and are requesting detention until the end of legal proceedings due to the risk posed to the public. Conversely, Attorney Wasim Dahir, representing the minor on behalf of the Public Defender's Office, stated that the minor claims he acted out of fear and in self-defense.
Attorney Dahir noted that the defense will respond to the indictment in court and will request the minor's release under restrictive conditions. The case raises questions regarding security arrangements and the separation of detainees in courthouse holding cells, particularly when minors are awaiting various legal proceedings. Legally, the offense attributed to the minor—aggravated assault—is a serious criminal charge requiring proof of intent or awareness of the prohibited result; the court will determine whether this was a premeditated attack or a preemptive act as the defense claims. The case is currently at the stage of legal proceedings.