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Yishai Shlissel

Shlissel indictment reveals police failures

Jerusalem pride parade killer charged with premeditated murder, and six counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault, for plot police failed to foil.

Jerusalem Pride Parade attacker Yishai Shlissel was charged with the murder of Shira Banki at the Jerusalem District Court on Monday, in an indictment that provided more information on the police's failure to stop the attack.

 

 

Shlissel was charged with premeditated murder, as well as six counts of attempted murder, and aggravated assault. A surprising revelation in the indictment revealed that Shlissel was prevented from entering the parade at one of its points.

 

"The pride parade must be stopped in order for the soul of Shira Banki to ascend to heaven," Shlissel said at the hearing on Monday morning. "If you care for her well being… you must stop cursing against God. The parade marchers are bringing great harm upon the nation of Israel."

 

According to the indictment, Shlissel rallied against the pride parade and its "illegal" nature in a number of forums, including religious media and fliers in Haredi neighborhoods immediately following his release from prison, and in the buildup to the July parade.

 

Shlissel during the hearing (Photo: Ofer Meyer)
Shlissel during the hearing (Photo: Ofer Meyer)

 

Shlissel left his parents' house in Yad Binyamin and headed to Jerusalem on the day of the parade around noon, after he had made the decision to murder parade participants. He specifically sought and purchased a kitchen knife with a wide blade, measuring 15 cm in length.

 

He attempted to enter the parade's area through the Lincoln Street entrance; however, two female officers stopped him and asked him to leave the area. He began walking away from the entrance and turned on to nearby Washington Street. He hid the knife in his clothing, and at approximately 6:39 pm, he entered the marchers' area near a convenience store. On his way in, Shlissel avoided a pair of police officers, and immediately began stabbing every marcher that stood in his path.

 

Shira Banki
Shira Banki

 

Shira Banki was the third marcher to fall victim to Shlissel's blade, after which he managed to stab two more marchers before being forced to the ground by a police officer.

 

District judge Ram Vinograd refused to continue hearing a request for remand until Shlissel is issued a public defender, after Shlissel refused council during previous proceedings. The state's case for remand will be heard on Tuesday.

 

Sagea Ofir from the Jerusalem prosecutor's office said, "The suspect chose - with determination based in hate - to finish a crime he began a decade ago. The indictment is just one episode in the battle for freedom of expression and life for everyone within Israeli society."

 

Shlissel finished serving a 10 year sentence for a 2005 parade stabbing attack only several weeks before the parade. He refused council on the basis of non recognition of the state's institutions, and as such a refusal to cooperate with them.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.24.15, 11:13
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