Central District police arrested a defense attorney and four additional suspects Tuesday on suspicion of attempting to coerce minors into giving false testimony through bribery and threats, according to police statements.
The attorney, a woman in her 30s from central Israel, represents a defendant charged in January 2026 with serious security offenses including shooting, arson, and weapons manufacturing in Ramla. The four additional suspects arrested are family members of the defendant and residents of Ramla.
The investigation began in May when the attorney submitted materials to police investigators, claiming she possessed evidence that could lead to her client's exoneration. During subsequent review of the materials by the State Attorney's Office, investigators became suspicious about the evidence's origin, the methods used to obtain it, and the timing of its submission.
Police opened a covert investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the evidence. Over subsequent months, investigators gathered information suggesting the attorney and the four other suspects had approached multiple minors and their parents, attempting to convince them to provide false testimony.
According to police suspicions, the false testimony was designed to provide the defendant with an alibi—specifically, that he was with the minors at the time the alleged offenses were committed. This would have directly contradicted the prosecution's timeline and evidence against him.
Bribery and Intimidation
Police allege that the suspects employed multiple methods to persuade the minors. In some instances, they reportedly offered money in exchange for cooperation. In other cases, police believe the suspects applied pressure on the minors and made threats if they refused to provide the testimony.
The goal, according to police theory, was to create false evidence of the defendant's whereabouts during the time the crimes were allegedly committed, thereby undermining the prosecution's case and potentially leading to acquittal.
Formal Investigation Launch
With the transition to formal investigation procedures, police arrested the attorney and the four family-member suspects. All suspects remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The charges of witness tampering, coercion of minors, and potential bribery represent serious criminal offenses distinct from the underlying security charges against the defendant. If proven, they would represent obstruction of justice and abuse of the legal process.
The suspects' allegations remain unproven in court.
