Zvi Gur
Photo: Yedioth Archive
Parole board grants child murderer early release after 37 years
Zvi Gur, who was sentenced to life plus 34 years for the kidnapping and murder of 8-year-old Oron Yarden in 1980, set to go free; State Attorney's Office, which objected the release, yet to decide whether to appeal decision.
A special parole board decided Wednesday to release lifer Zvi Gur, who kidnapped and murdered eight-year-old Oron Yarden in 1980, Ynet learned on Thursday.
Gur, an illustrator of children's books, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder and an additional 34 years for the kidnapping. His sentence was commuted to 45 years in 1999 by then-president Ezer Weizman. He has served 37 years so far.
His release will be under restrictive conditions and is pending a feasibility examination by the Israel Prison Service.
Zvi Gur, left, and his victim, Oron Yarden (Photo: Michael Kremer)
The State Attorney's Office has not yet decided whether to appeal the decision.
Gur, who is now 70 years old, met eight-year-old Oron Yarden while he was riding his bike at a commercial center in Savyon on June 8, 1980. Gur was wearing IDF uniforms and persuaded the boy to get into his car.
Three days later, he strangled Yarden to death and then called his parents and demanded a ransom for his release.
Gur then left the child's body in a car in Petah Tikva and travelled to Hod HaSharon to pick up the ransom money. The next day he returned to his car and buried the boy in Netanya.
The killer was able to escape capture for a month and a half, but the money he received, which was marked, led to his eventual arrest.
On December 20, 1985, Gur was put to work painting the outside wall of the Ayalon Prison in Ramla. Since he was considered an exemplary prisoner, he was not supervised and was able to escape.
Gur before escaping in 1985 (Photo: Yedioth Archive)
Over 2,000 police officers participated in the manhunt—one of the largest in Israeli history—with detailed descriptions of him sent to air ports, sea ports and land border crossings. He was caught five days later by civilians who identified him.
The State Attorney's Office objected to his release, claiming the crimes he committed had great public significance. In addition, the State Attorney's Office noted Gur has never taken full responsibility for his crime, as is required from a prisoner serving time for such offenses who is seeking early release.
Attorney Eyal Alon, who represents Gur, said "The message sent by the special parole board is unequivocal: crime doesn't pay off. Gur served 37.5 years in prison, which is unprecedented. Today, he is considered one of the most veteran prisoners in the Israel Prison Service. Gur will be released only after having gone through a massive, long rehabilitation process for over six years. To his credit, other than the escape in 1985, he did not commit a single disciplinary offense."
