The Yerushalayim District Court ruled Tuesday to extend the detention of the man suspected of setting fire to the beis medrash of Rav Yitzchak Yosef. While the suspect’s identity remains under a gag order, key details of the investigation were cleared for publication today.
Until now, nearly all aspects of the case had been under strict confidentiality. However, the court has now allowed several elements of the case to be made public, including the list of charges being considered and confirmation that no national security threat or foreign involvement is suspected.
The judge’s remarks during the hearing highlighted the severity of the allegations: “The level of suspicion is very high.” According to the court, the arson was carried out in two separate locations, which added to the seriousness of the case.
The court authorized the publication of the charges the suspect is facing: intentional arson of a building, making threats, willful damage to property, and defacing real estate.
Despite speculation, the investigation has ruled out any suspicion of a politically motivated or terrorism-related act. The incident is being treated as a criminal matter, and the suspect will remain in custody as the probe continues.
The fire caused significant damage to the beis medrash where Rav Yitzchak Yosef delivers shiurim.
{Matzav.com Israel}
