5 indicted for planning Temple Mount shooting attack
Indictment filed against east Jerusalem men who conspired to carry out shooting attack against worshippers, officers in Old City. Group also accused of trying to kidnap, murder hitch-hiker
The five, ages 20 to 25, are being charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted murder, aiding the enemy at a time of war, contact with a foreign agent and weapons charges.
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According to the indictment, the five contacted terrorist organizations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and asked them for training on weapons and explosives. It is alleged they planned to kill worshippers and throw a grenade at a police station in east Jerusalem.
They also planned to abduct a Jewish man, rob him of his weapon and use it to murder him. According to the indictment, the five took a hitch hiker near Givat Zeev last month but released him upon learning he was unarmed.
Suspects at Jerusalem District Court (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
It is claimed that at one stage the defendants sought to steal a weapon from a police officer but were forced to abort their plan when officers noticed their suspicion behavior.
The group later held fire practices at the Qalandiya checkpoint, according to the indictment. The five also tried to purchase hand grenades and explosives and obtained materials for assembling a pipe bomb.
The State Prosecutor's Office is seeking to remand the suspects in custody until the completion of all legal proceedings.
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