Tel Aviv nightclub terrorist convicted
Palestinian who ran over, stabbed eight Israelis last August confesses to crime to the surprise of prosecution
According to the indictment, on August 29 Muhammad Zufan stole a taxi cab and drove it at high velocity towards the Oman 17 nightclub in Tel Aviv hitting Border Guard officers standing near a checkpoint on his way. He later stabbed a police officer and citizens who tried to stop him. The indictment states that Zufan also planned to stab Israelis near the al-Aqsa mosque.
Zufan in court (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
The indictment further suggests that Zufan, 21, decided to "carry out a nationalistic terrorist attack inside Israel which would intentionally cause the deaths of Israeli security forces" in the backdrop of Operation Cast Lead and IDF activity in Gaza in 2009.
During the trial, the parties negotiated a plea bargain which did not mature. Zufan nevertheless decided to confess to multiple charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, robbery, illegal alien status and conspiracy to commit a crime.
The confession came as a surprise to the prosecution. Next month, the parties will present their arguments in the sentencing hearing.
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