Lynch suspects to remain in custody
Court extends remands of two teens allegedly involved in assault on Arab; Source says security cameras in Zion Square were off on night of attack
A Jewish youth suspected of assaulting an Arab teen last week is to remain in police custody for five extra days, as per a decision issued by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
The suspect, 19, was the first to be arrested in connection with the attack, which allegedly involved several other Jewish teens. Eight have been arrested so far; seven of them are minors.
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The court also decided to keep a 17-year-old girl in custody for three additional days.
Suspect, 19, in court (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
The two suspects whose remands have been extended deny involvement in the attack.
The male suspect's attorney claimed that the police is ignoring his client's alibi, and is refusing to use a GPS tracking system to prove that he was nowhere near Zion Square on the night of the attack.
Suspect, 17, at court (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
Sources in the Jerusalem Municipality claim that the city's security cameras weren't operating at the time of the incident due to an effort to upgrade the devices. The police is reviewing footage recorded by businesses in the area.
Witnesses say that the Jewish teens beat the 18-year-old Arab victim, who chose to pass through the square on Thursday night. He sustained serious injuries and went into a coma. Upon waking up, he said he did not remember who assaulted him and how he ended up at the hospital.
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