Robot to remove suspicious objects
צילום: יוסף-דב כהן
False alarm
Two right-wing activists suspected of placing suspicious bags in public places in order to occupy police; suspects deny, claim police "panicking"
Two right-wing activists in Jerusalem were arrested Wednesday on suspicion they willingly placed suspicious objects around the capital in an attempt to occupy police. Police suspect the act was carried out in protest of the disengagement plan.
The object, an abandoned side pack with electrical wires poking out of it that was left in Jerusalem's Davidka Square, forced police and security forces to clear the area and remove the object. A similar incident was reported a short time later on King George St.
The incident is the second false alarm in Jerusalem in less than a month. In mid-March a suitcase was abandoned near the Mahane Yehuda market, with a note reading "canceling disengagement will prevent suspicious objects - real or otherwise."
Jerusalem police say the suspects have refused to cooperate under investigation, and will recommend the Jerusalem District Court extend their remand Thursday afternoon.
The suspects deny the accusations, saying the Jerusalem police are "panicking."
Yesha Council representatives distanced themselves from the acts, but stressed the incidents stem from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's "refusal" to submit the disengagement plan to a popular vote.
