After a trial that lasted more than 6 consecutive years, and included many postponements and mishaps, the Beersheba District Court decided the sentence of Zahi Abu Judah, brother of terrorist Khaled Abu Judah, who was convicted of murdering soldier Ron Kukia and was charged with preparing for additional acts of terrorism. The defendant was convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime, the crime being aggravated robbery with aggravated injury.
Court riot: Family members of the terrorist who murdered soldier Ron Kukia attacked his father // Credit: "If you will"
The indictment also stated that "the defendant had the mental element required to view the offense as a conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism." However, the defendant was acquitted of the offenses of preparing to commit an act of terrorism and possession of a knife. In the second indictment, the jury, led by Vice President Ariel Vago, convicted him of weapons possession and obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting after the fact of a crime, and was acquitted of impeachment in an investigation.
In December 2017, soldier Ron Kukia was murdered near Arad, after Khaled Abu Judah arrived at the hitchhiking station where he was waiting and stabbed him to death. His accomplice was his brother, Zahi, and both brothers were arrested that night. Khaled was indicted for attempted murder and the murder itself, as well as for concealing the weapon.
Not a first confrontation. Boaz, father of Sergeant Ron Kukia z"l and Odeh Abu Judah, father of the terrorist who murdered his son, photo: Dudu Greenspan
His brother Zahi carries the same first charge - murder and attempted murder, and another charge - aiding and abetting after the fact. The verdict sentenced Khaled to life imprisonment and another 20 years behind bars, and the process ended relatively quickly despite the change in the first count: conspiracy to murder instead of attempted murder. The State Prosecutor's Office refused to accept the decision and appealed to the Supreme Court. On appeal, the Supreme Court was not convinced that Zahi could be convicted of attempted murder, so he was dismissed, and the conviction counts were changed.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us