Two youths suspected of lighting brush fire
An indictment has been filed against two 17 year olds from the Arab village of Judeide Maker for allegedly lighting a brush fire at the height of the fires which were burning throughout Israel in November.
They are being accused of arson with no nationalistic motive.
The indictment quotes the youths’ lawyer, Mohammad Muleh, as saying that multiple fires occurred in multiple areas throughout Israel before, during, and after the arrests of his two clients due to, amongst other things, bad weather, strong winds, and dryness.
The indictment states that the two youths went to the wilderness area on November 27 and began to light matches. They then allegedly threw the still burning matches on a pile of dried leaves and branches, thus starting the wildfire. The fire caused damage to 15 trees and 80 square meters of land, amounting to approximately NIS 12,000 in damages.
Police stated at a preliminary trial that a surveillance team was driving along route 70 when they saw a brush fire next to Yasif Interchange. They also saw a car pulling off the route which leads from the wilderness area where the fire was raging. The team stopped the vehicle, which carried six 17 year olds from Judeide Maker.
Firefighting aircraft were dispatched to the location and were able to put out the fire before it was able to spread. The six were transferred to the police station in Akko, and it was there that the decision was made to arrest them on suspicion of arson.
Meanwhile on Thursday, an indictment was filed against Ali Mahajneh from Um al Fahm after he intentionally lit fires in forested areas and close to houses on the outskirts of the city. The prosecutor’s office claim that he has apologized for his actions and has expressed his regret for taking them.
