The Israel Police prosecution unit has filed an indictment at the Nazareth Magistrates Court against Tamer Salfiti, a 25-year-old resident of the village of Umm al-Ghanem. The indictment charges the defendant with aggravated assault by an armed offender, illegal possession of a knife, reckless driving, and threats. The investigation was conducted by the Tabgha Police Station following a report received on August 29 from Emek Medical Center in Afula regarding a man admitted with stab wounds.
According to the indictment and the victim's testimony, the incident occurred while the complainant was sitting on a motorcycle on the roadside at the village entrance. The defendant approached in a large commercial vehicle, threatened the victim, and attempted to run him over. The victim managed to escape the motorcycle onto the road moments before being struck. It is alleged that after the attempted vehicular assault, the victim approached the driver's door to prevent the defendant from exiting and continuing the attack, but the defendant drew a knife and stabbed the victim in the head while inside the vehicle.
Chief Sergeant Aluma Abramovich of the Tabgha Police investigation unit stated that the investigation revealed the background of the incident is rooted in claims regarding the arrest of the defendant's family members, who were previously involved in the murder of the victim's cousin. According to the investigator, there has been ongoing harassment by the defendant and his family toward the victim's family, despite police assertions that the original murder was accidental and that the complainant has no connection to the dispute.
Conversely, Attorney Artzi Argov, who represented the defendant until recently, stated that his client denies all charges. The defense claims that the police failed to properly collect evidence that could have led to a different conclusion, and therefore argues there is no justification for his continued detention under harsh conditions. The trial is expected to proceed at the Nazareth Magistrates Court, where the factual and legal arguments in the case will be adjudicated.