The Haifa Magistrates' Court held separate hearings for Marco Abu Shaqara, an officer and investigator in the Lahav 433 unit, and his father, Roni Abu Shaqara, following their arrest on suspicion of involvement in a severe stabbing incident on HaShalom Street in the Hadar HaCarmel neighborhood of Haifa. According to media reports, the incident occurred during a violent altercation between two families, leaving a 25-year-old man seriously injured. The victim was transported by Magen David Adom (MDA) teams to Rambam Hospital.
Details presented in court indicate that the background to the incident lies in an ongoing dispute between the two suspects and a neighbor family residing in the building. The investigation into the officer's involvement is being conducted by the Department of Internal Police Investigations (DIPI), while the investigation concerning the father is being managed by the Haifa police station. During the legal proceedings, representatives of the investigative bodies requested to extend the detention of both suspects to advance the process. A DIPI representative stated that the investigation aims to determine who actually performed the stabbing.
The arrest request filed against the officer included suspicions of aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm, and injury under aggravated circumstances. Similar suspicions were raised against the father, along with allegations of conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a knife. Conversely, the suspects' counsel, from the Public Defender's Office, presented a defense claiming the pair were victims of assault themselves. Adv. Moran Schlesinger, representing the officer, argued that he was attacked during the event. Adv. Ron Avishur, representing the father, presented a version suggesting that the incident was preceded by threats and property damage from the other family, adding that the father denies using any cold weapon.
Despite the defense's claims, Judge Inbal Keren ruled that the investigation material presented to her established a reasonable basis for suspicion. In her decision, the judge emphasized the existence of grounds for danger and concerns regarding the obstruction of the investigation. Accordingly, the officer's detention was extended by three days, and the father's detention by five days. It should be noted that these are only suspicions at this stage of the legal process. Criminal forensics investigators are active at the scene, and the investigation continues simultaneously through police and DIPI channels. No indictments have been filed to date, and the investigation is ongoing.