Jerusalem Man Arrested for Alleged Assault on 9-Year-Old Haredi Boy

Jerusalem police have arrested a 31-year-old man suspected of committing severe acts against a 9-year-old boy who sought help photocopying a document at a local computer and internet services shop.

The incident, captured on security cameras, has sparked a legal tug-of-war, with the magistrate's court repeatedly ordering the suspect's release under restrictive conditions, only for the district court to intervene and extend his detention amid concerns over public safety.

The case began about two weeks ago when the boy's mother filed a complaint at the Lev Habira police station. According to her account, her son was at the business a few days earlier, struggling to photocopy a document on his own. He innocently asked a nearby man for assistance, but the suspect allegedly exploited the situation to carry out the assault. The child quickly fled the scene and returned home, where he told his mother what had happened.

Following the report, investigators from Lev Habira station conducted a series of inquiries and intelligence operations to identify the suspect. A court-issued arrest warrant was obtained, and on Wednesday, November 27, the community police officer in Jerusalem's Haredi neighborhood located and detained the man. He was interrogated at the station and subsequently jailed.

The next day, the suspect appeared before the magistrate's court, which granted the police's request to extend his detention for several days while imposing a gag order on his identity. At the end of that period, however, the court ordered his release under restrictive conditions, rejecting the police's plea to publicize his name to help locate potential additional victims.

Citing the severity of the allegations and gathered evidence, authorities appealed the decision to the district court that same day. The higher court accepted the appeal, extending the detention by one more day.

Yesterday, (Monday, December 1), the suspect was brought back to the magistrate's court for another extension hearing, accompanied by a prosecutor's statement indicating an indictment would be filed in the coming days. Despite acknowledging the "dangerousness of the acts and offenses attributed to the respondent, to an extent that justifies extending the detention as requested," the court again opted for release under conditions.

Police, highlighting the suspect's relevant criminal history, including a similar offense from 2015 and other factors, filed another appeal. The district court once more overturned the lower court's ruling, stating it had "no choice but to accept the appeal and extend the respondent's detention" after considering all circumstances. The extension was granted for three additional days, until December 3, to allow for the preparation and filing of charges.

Security footage released by police shows the assault, underscoring the graphic nature of the case. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the suspect's background or potential additional victims, pending the indictment.