Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court sentenced two men on Wednesday for stealing and looting sound equipment from the Nova festival site at Re'im. Judge Amir Doron ruled that the defendants exploited the chaos following the terror attack to profit from property left at the scene. Sentencing for a third defendant will be handed down at a later date.
The sound equipment, valued at approximately 800,000 shekels, belonged to Matan Lior HY"D, who was murdered at the festival after working to evacuate victims and save lives under fire.
Ram Shahin, identified as "the driving force and central criminal engine," received seven years in prison. The court also imposed a 60,000-shekel fine and ordered him to pay 75,000 shekels in compensation to Lior's parents and 25,000 shekels to his business partner. Shahin will serve an additional 12 months suspended sentence for property or fraud felonies, and six months suspended for property or fraud misdemeanors, both for three years.
Daniel Hasson, who attempted to sell the stolen equipment, took responsibility and admitted guilt under an amended indictment. The court determined his role in the offenses was smaller, sentencing him to 40 months in prison. He was also fined 30,000 shekels and ordered to pay 40,000 shekels to Lior's parents and 15,000 shekels to his partner. Suspended sentences for three years were imposed in his case as well.
The verdict described the defendants' conduct as "cynical, calculated and manipulative exploitation of the chaos, bereavement and helplessness." The court ruled that the actions violated the dignity of the dead and the sanctity of human life, as well as the rule of law, social solidarity, public trust and property rights.
The judge set harsher sentencing ranges than those requested by either side, stating that a decisive and deterrent judicial message was required against those who desecrated the honor of the disaster's victims and stole their property.
