Six charged for allegedly hurling grenade at rival group in Tel Aviv, bombing bike shop

State prosecutors file charges against six people, including two minors, for hurling a grenade at a rival group of young people in Tel Aviv, injuring four.

Three of the defendants also allegedly bombed a bicycle shop belonging to the father of someone in the rival group, badly damaging the establishment.

The defendants apparently became embroiled in a brawl with the rival group at a public park in Tel Aviv in May. Prosecutors say that around half an hour later, the defendants returned to the park armed with clubs, knives, pepper spray, a machete and a grenade.

One of the defendants allegedly sprayed the group with pepper spray, while another chucked the grenade at them, which prosecutors note is capable of killing. Four were injured, two of whom were taken to the hospital.

“It was only by miracle that major loss of life was avoided,” prosecutors say, adding that the defendants’ actions demonstrate they are “reckless, violent and crossed serious red lines.”

All defendants are charged in the Tel Aviv District Court today with conspiracy to commit a crime and aggravated assault as a group. Ariel Amrani, 21, is charged with carrying and transporting a weapon, since he allegedly brought the grenade to the park.

Amrani, along with another 21-year-old, Aharon Rodef Shalom, and a minor whose name is barred from publication, are also accused of attaching an explosive device to the entrance of a bicycle shop belonging to a father of someone in the rival group two days after the initial incident.

State prosecutors request that the court keep the defendants in custody until the end of legal proceedings against them.