Israeli actor arrested for attacking his mother with swords
Identity of suspect, known for roles in films and TV dramas, is barred from publication; he has been sent to house arrest and psychiatric evaluation
An Israeli actor known for roles in TV dramas and cinema films was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of attacking his mother with swords, Hebrew media reported Sunday.
Neighbors called police after hearing the actor shouting and threatening his mother, who lives in an adjacent home, the reports said, without naming him or specifying where the incident took place since his identity has been barred from publication.
Police argued in court that the suspect “harassed his mother on several different occasions” and asked for his remand to be extended by five days. Judge Pnina Neuwirth eventually rejected that request and extended his remand until Sunday at 1 p.m., after which he was to be sent to supervised house arrest.
The actor’s lawyer, Roy Gabriel, said his client was under psychiatric treatment and is in the middle of a dispute with his brother and mother.
“The suspect is the one who is suffering,” Gabriel said, adding that the violent incident ended on Thursday and no more threats have been made since, arguing that therefore there was no need to extend his remand.
The suspect also argued that it was his brother who attacked him, saying he has a video proving that.
The judge said there was “an initial indication that justifies a psychiatric examination of the suspect.”
She added: “After looking at the investigation material, there is reasonable suspicion that the suspect committed the offenses attributed to him.”
Reports said the actor had been brought to the attention of psychiatric health officials in the past.
