Lead

Israeli police have arrested the 17-year-old primary suspect in the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Benayahu Razi in Jerusalem, ending a two-week manhunt, according to a statement by the Israel Police. The arrest came as a separate development saw an Israel Prison Service officer taken into custody for allegedly obstructing the investigation.

The stabbing occurred on July 11 during a fight in Jerusalem's Nahlaot neighborhood. Razi was initially evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center before being pronounced dead, according to United Hatzalah. The police have treated the incident as criminal in nature from the outset.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting by the Jerusalem Post describes a series of arrests and developments over several weeks. On the day after the murder, police announced they had arrested six individuals for suspected involvement in the killing, all of whom were transferred for investigation and brought before the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court for detention extension requests.

Later, on July 23, police made two additional arrests in connection with the murder. The two suspects were not named at the time; one was described as a 16-year-old girl and the other an 18-year-old boy from the city of Elad.

The primary suspect, Avior Sasson, a 17-year-old Jerusalem resident, was named by police on the same day and remained at large. After a two-week manhunt, police confirmed his arrest on July 28. His detention followed a court appearance where the police requested an extension of his remand.

Key Claims

  • Avior Sasson, 17, was arrested after a two-week manhunt, as confirmed by Israel Police on July 28.
  • An Israel Prison Service officer, a 34-year-old from Hod Hasharon, was arrested on July 28 on suspicion of obstruction of justice and breach of trust, according to police and the IPS.
  • The officer is suspected of maintaining a personal relationship with an inmate at the central Israel prison where she serves; reports identified the inmate as Sasson's brother.
  • Police suspect that the officer and the inmate worked together to obstruct the investigation and assist Sasson while he was on the run.
  • A total of six individuals were arrested in the 24 hours immediately following the murder, according to police.
  • The victim, 19-year-old Benayahu Razi, was fatally stabbed during a fight on July 11 in the Nahlaot neighborhood.
  • One of the six suspects, represented by public defender Omri Stern, denies involvement in causing Razi's death. Stern said the suspect had been in a "long and violent relationship" with the victim and had previously filed complaints about him.

Perspectives

Israel Police

Police have consistently treated the killing as criminal, and their investigation has led to multiple arrests, including the primary suspect and a prison service officer suspected of obstruction. They have requested detention extensions for suspects and continue to work with the Israel Prison Service on related allegations.

Defense Attorney

Attorney Omri Stern, representing one of the arrested suspects, has argued that his client denies any involvement in the death, states she was not at the scene, and is cooperating with investigators. He has urged police to examine her account and work toward her release.