A sensitive and volatile hearing was held this week at the Petah Tikva Family Court regarding the custody of the daughter of the late Lia Cohen Malka, who was murdered in an explosion caused by an explosive device in her car on the Ayalon Highway last June. The hearing focused on the future of the minor, who was left motherless, while her father, Chen Cohen, remains at the center of complex legal proceedings. Cohen, the deceased’s estranged husband, is a suspect in her murder case and is also charged in a separate file with threatening the deceased and her father, Yaakov Malka.
Cohen’s arrival at the courthouse with his attorney sparked an uproar among the deceased’s family members and friends who were waiting on-site. According to media reports, the encounter led to verbal and physical altercations, during which derogatory names and harsh shouts were directed at the defendant. Judicial security guards were forced to intervene to restore order and prevent direct contact with the defendant. The victim’s father, Yaakov Malka, spoke to the media about the emotional difficulties and legal complexities the family has faced since the incident.
According to him, the family is focused on the grandchild’s future and stability, while expressing grave concerns regarding the ongoing custody and Cohen's conduct. Legally, the father pointed to previous disputes regarding divorce agreements and financial rights from life insurance policies, which he claims were intended for the minor. The deceased and Cohen were engaged in divorce proceedings and a dispute over visitation arrangements for their two-year-old daughter.
It should be noted that while Cohen is suspected of ordering the murder, the investigation into that matter reached an impasse, and he was released to house arrest in July after it was declared deadlocked. Meanwhile, Cohen is expected to stand trial for the threats case next month, a process the family views as a critical step toward justice. During the family court hearing, the victim's father emphasized the family’s desire to ensure the child’s safety. Conversely, the defendant maintains his position within his legal proceedings, with the dramatic issues currently being managed within the courtroom.
The family expressed hope that the judicial system will rule in a manner that ensures the child’s best interests and personal safety, in light of the tragic circumstances and the heavy suspicions surrounding the case.