Police arrested a 31-year-old resident of Rishon LeZion on suspicion of attacking an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor at the Beit Menachem synagogue in Kfar Chabad after the victim warned him about smoking there.
In accordance with the findings of the investigation, a prosecutor's statement was filed today (Thursday) against the suspect.
The arrest was made after investigators from the Rishon LeZion police station opened an investigation upon receiving a complaint about an assault that occurred at a synagogue in Kfar Chabad, according to which the 87-year-old victim was attacked after he remarked to the suspect that he was smoking a cigarette inside the synagogue.
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The details of the incident indicate that the victim approached the suspect - a convert, a resident of Rishon LeZion, and asked him to leave the synagogue with his cigarette - partly due to his medical condition. However, an argument then began between them, at the end of which the victim was knocked to the floor and taken to the hospital for medical treatment, in serious condition.
Upon receiving the complaint, the station's investigators launched an accelerated investigation, revealed the suspect's identity, and arrested him. His detention was extended according to the needs of the investigation.
The Central District Attorney's Office filed, in accordance with the evidentiary basis, a prosecutor's statement against the suspect, along with a request to detain him until the end of the proceedings.
