Idan Sama: Betrayed State's trust
Photo: Noam Moscowitz
Ex-officer convicted of arms dealing
Border Guard officer sentenced to seven years in prison for stealing rifles, grenades, then selling them to criminals
A Border Guard officer who was arrested a year ago for stealing weapons and selling them to criminals was sentenced to seven years in prison on Thursday.
The 22-year-old Idan Sama was convicted for stealing eight M16 rifles, 36 stun grenades and other military equipment from the base where he served. He reportedly sold the items for tens of thousands of shekels.
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According to the charge sheet, Sama committed the robberies upon the request of two other defendants in the case, Maor Ben-Mucha and Israel Sabag. A fourth defendant aided Sama in selling the weapons. Others also contributed to the arm deals, and concealed the equipment and funds they received as payment.
"As result of the violations made by the defendants, there are weapons at the hands of criminal or nationalistic forces," Judge Nechama Munitz said during the sentencing hearing. "It is clear that these weapons were bought in order to injure or kill. The only question that remains is who will get hurt, when and under which circumstances."
'Treacherous Acts'
Munitz said Sama's actions betrayed the trust given to him by the State and the IDF."(His actions) were cynical and careless," she said. "This not the case of a poor man. The money did not go to feed his family, but to allow him to buy an all-terrain vehicle and other luxuries. He was aware of the consequences of his treacherous acts, but he didn't care."
Sama was sentenced to two years on probation on top of his prison term.
"This wasn't youthful frivolity or a one-time slip," Munitz explained. "This was a series of well-planned acts that were done with intent. He must be repaid in the same coin."
The rest of the convicts in the case were sentenced to a year and a half to five years in prison.
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