Soldier en route to court
Photo: Motti Kimchi
Soldier sentenced to six months detention for sabotaging planes
IDF technician in IAF base in north uses sharp tool to sabotage switches of two F-16s, in revenge for workload, indictment notes
An IDF
soldier was sentenced on Wednesday to six months in prison after sabotaging two Air Force fighter planes.
As part of the plea bargain, the soldier will not be indicted for compromising state security and will only be held accountable for causing damage to IDF property.
The soldier was working as a technician in an Air Force base in Ramat David in Israel's north and was arrested some three months ago for suspicion of intentionally sabotaging two F-16 fighter aircraft.
According to the indictment, the soldier used a sharp tool to sabotage key switches in the two planes, causing tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. As a result of his vandalism, the base was forced to shut down all aerial activity until all aircraft in the base were inspected.
According to investigation, the soldier was frustrated with his officers for his workload and was seeking revenge. He confessed to military police that his sabotage was intentional.
The IAF stressed that if his actions were not revealed, the lives of pilots may have been in danger.
