Scene of crime in Meah Shearim
Photo: Guy Assayag
3 arrested for 2008 stabbing attack
Police say three Jewish teens admitted to stabbing man in Meah Shearim because he was Arab
Three teens have been arrested on suspicion that they stabbed
an Arab man in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Meah Shearim one year ago, and then fled the scene.
The suspects, two of whom are minors, were brought before the Jerusalem Magistrates' Court Tuesday for a hearing on the remand of their arrest.
Police believe that on December 3, 2008, the teens walked up to an Arab man in Meah Shearim and asked him for the time, in order to ascertain that he was indeed of Arab descent.
When he answered they sprayed pepper spray in his eyes, beat and stabbed him and afterwards fled the scene, police suspect.
The victim, 31-year old Hamed Hamed from Shuafat, was taken to the hospital with moderate to serious wounds. Police immediately announced that the stabbing had been nationalistically motivated and established a special team to investigate.
A day later two teens were arrested and released following questioning. The three youths currently in custody were arrested three weeks ago and the court cleared their case for publication Tuesday, when police demanded the third remand of their arrest.
Officers claim the three suspects, a 22-year-old and two 17-years-olds, have admitted to the charges against them. They are scheduled to be indicted in the coming days.
