Israeli Arab who planned assassinations indicted
State files grave charges against Shfaram's Anis Saffouri, thought to be behind plot targeting Israeli pilots, scientists
The State Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday filed indictment against Anis Saffouri, 20, of Shfaram for allegedly plotting terror acts against Israeli Air Force pilots and various scientists.
The Islamic Jihad cell's assassination plot was exposed in a joint IDF, Shin Bet and police operation, last week.
The indictment against Saffouri further listed counts of aiding and abetting an enemy at war, membership in an illegal organization, contacting a foreign agent, raising funds for terror activities, forming a terror cell, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to commit murder and various weapons charges.
According to the indictment, Saffouri – a member of Islamic Jihad affiliated "Jamaat al-Islamiya" – offered his handlers to target the IDF soldiers stationed in the Bir Zeit-Atara checkpoint, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, and proceeded to conduct surveillance to that effect.
Another indictment was filed against Saffouri's cousin, Hussam Khalil, and included charges of transferring funds to the Islamic Jihad in Jordan. The State asked the Akko Magistrate's Court to remand both men for the duration of the proceedings.
Tangled web
Saffouri was recruited to Jamaat al-Islamiya in 2008, by Mahmoud Bader, who he met during his studies at the Bir Zeit University. Several moths after that, according to the prosecution, the two decided to form a terror which would "avenge Israel's actions in Palestinian Authority territories."
The two reportedly attempted to raise funds via the al-Quds Brigades' headquarters in Syria, recruiting Khalil – who was studying in Jordan at the time – to act as the go-between.
Saffouri, stated the prosecution, then suggested to Bader that they should assassinate "scientists and professor in Israeli universities, especially physicists and mathematicians… who he assumed were closely connected to Israeli military and nuclear capabilities' development."
The method of choice was to be place remote-controlled booby-trapped toys under the target's cars, which were to be activated by using a cell phone. Should the target be living alone, Saffouri suggested to blowup their home, the State alleged.
He also suggested assassinating Israeli soldiers and IAF pilots in particular, and was planning to abduct Palestinians he suspected of collaborating with the Israeli authorities. According to the indictment, Saffouri had already marked two "suspects" and contacted a driver for the intended getaway car.
Judge Ron Shapira, who presided over the hearing, granted the State's request and remanded Saffouri and Khalil to custody.
