Fake bomb probe takes twist
Investigators suspect two ultra-Orthodox soldiers who placed dummy devices at bus station in framework of anti-pullout battle also placed fake bombs at court
The IDF Prosecutor's Office is expected to submit an indictment against the two soldiers, corporals Arieh Katz and Meir Bartler, next week.
According to material gathered by investigators, the two soldiers decided to embark on a fake bomb "journey" on June 22. The soldiers apparently arrived at the Tel Aviv District Court, as well as the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court and Kfar Saba Magistrate's Court.
The soldiers were apparently able to gain entry into the courts while avoiding a thorough security screening because they were wearing their army uniforms at the time. The two placed a small bag with wires protruding out of it at the bathrooms of the various courts and attached a note reading: "The disengagement will blow up during your hearings."
The investigating team holds Katz’s fingerprint, which was found on the note attached to the fake bomb in Kfar Saba. However, there is no evidence connecting him to the incidents at the Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva courthouses.
As to Bartler, data retrieved from his wife’s cellular phone have reinforced suspicions he was in close proximity to where the fake bombs were placed the same day the incidents occurred.
Regarding the incident in Jerusalem’s central bus station, investigators claim Bartler was the one who had entered the bathroom carrying a backpack.
According to the prosecutor, he then received a text message from Katz saying, “Let me know when you’re done.”
Bartler then left the bathroom with the backpack hanging from one of his shoulders; according to the prosecution, this proves he had taken the fake bomb out of the backpack and left it in the bathroom.
“You should have dumped the backpack”
In addition, it was claimed in military court, that a double agent embedded in the jail heard Bartler telling his wife during a phone conversation, “they don’t have finger prints, you should have dumped the backpack.”
Although the backpack was found in Bartler’s home, the defendants’ attorney, Koby Suderi, said the forensic examination of the bag revealed no traces it had contained a gas tank, as claimed by the prosecution.
Ynet discovered that when suspicions first arose that the party responsible for planting the fake bomb in Jerusalem was an ultra-orthodox looking soldier, Military Police investigators scanned all identification cards’ photos of the soldiers belonging to the army’s ultra-orthodox unit, and then matched with pictures taken by the security camera in Jerusalem.
Attorney Suderi told Ynet the prosecution has no proof against his clients. “Clearly, my clients do not need to respond to the indictment; there is no incriminating evidence.”
“Their silence does not indicate guilt,” he added.
Family members of the two are present in all military court sessions. Chaim Bartler, Meir’s father, recently told Ynet that he opposes any illegal activity: “My son’s arrest shocked me. I am a law abiding citizen, and I don’t know if there's truth to the accusation against my son.”
