Suspects Released in Alder Dayan Case

Investigators from the Sharon District's Central Unit recently received the forensic report from the Abu Kabir Institute regarding the circumstances of Elder Dayan's death. According to the findings, the condition of the remains discovered in the field, which had been exposed to the elements for approximately two weeks and damaged by wild animals, made it impossible to conduct an autopsy or examine tissue samples. Consequently, medical examiners could not definitively establish the cause of death. These findings are expected to have dramatic implications for the ongoing investigation and the charges against the seven detained suspects.

Following the medical determination and an agreement reached between the prosecution and police, the murder and abandonment charges in the case appear to be collapsing.

Investigators now expect the suspects to face significantly lesser charges than those initially attributed to them. Braverman and Peretz, two of Dayan's friends who were arrested on the primary suspicion, are expected to be charged with assault, hit-and-run, and drug offenses.

The five other suspects—those involved in an altercation with Dayan and his friends in the Hod HaSharon and Yarkon Park areas—will likely face only assault and drug charges. The court's decision came after police requested two weeks of house arrest for all suspects, arguing that not all forensic evidence had been received and there was concern about obstruction of the investigation. Defense attorneys countered that the individuals had already been questioned and even released previously, making extended restrictions unjustified.

During the hearing, the judge proposed to the suspects' families that they waive the 5,000 shekel bail requirement in exchange for a shorter house arrest period. Judge Peleg ruled that the police request for a two-week detention was neither proportionate nor reasonable under the circumstances, and therefore ordered full house arrest only until the coming Thursday. Defense attorneys Shai Roda and Yaron Porer, representing the suspects, responded: "From the beginning of the investigation it was known that the cause of death could not be determined due to the physical condition of the body. Despite this, police continued to claim that as a result of violence by those involved, Alder Dayan met his death. It is regrettable that our clients were detained for many days awaiting an opinion from the Forensic Institute when it was known from the outset that such an opinion could not be obtained."