Intelligence obtained by Military Police led them to investigate an IDF combat soldier, a resident of southern Israel,
who is suspected of stealing arms which he "borrowed" from the IDF and from the battlefield during the Second Lebanon War.
Ynet has learned that the soldier, who has been decorated and received a number of certificates of recognition, is suspected of stashing the arms at his home, and has been accused with the very serious offense of abetting the enemy.
| Military Theft |
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| Soldiers suspected of stealing arms from IDF / Sharon Roffe-Ofir |
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Cleared for publication: Seven soldiers, four civilians from Galilee arrested on suspicion of stealing LAW missiles, hundreds of grenades from army; 250 troops interrogated |
| Full story |
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The 'Abetting the enemy' clause in military law is especially severe, which dictates that a "soldier who knowingly carried out the offense of abetting the enemy or endangering a military operation against the enemy… will be sentenced to ten years in prison."
In the soldier's home, large quantities of arms were uncovered: 2.5 kilograms of explosives, an explosive smoke bomb, 14 Volcano bullets, smoke grenades, and many other items worth NIS 30,000 (about $7,738), such as a communications device with an antenna and a sniper rifle.
The investigation revealed that the soldier made private use of his weapons, such as detonating smoke grenades at a birthday party, and setting off a grenade in his back yard in the presence of children.
Military prosecutors said that "the accused knowingly carried out an act to aid the enemy or endanger a military option" in their charge sheet. This is a rare offense for military courts. The charge sheet lists 20 clauses, and prosecutors are seeking to lengthen the soldier's custody until the end of proceedings.
Attorney Benny Koznitz, a lawyer representing the soldier, told Ynet: "The indictment is exaggerated out of all proportions. Some of the acts attributed to my client are not supported by evidence, and it's not all clear to me where the charges came from.
"This is a positive person, an outstanding soldier who contributed to the state's security, and the actual intention to attribute to him acts of aiding the enemy are simply are an insult.
"This is simply a soldier on the verge of release… with no criminal or hostile intentions, who announced that he collected the items for his pleasure – and that's how he must be related to."
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