Nablus terrorist's custody extended by 10 days

Law enforcement officials said the man would be charged with attempted murder and armed robbery.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
terror cab 311 (photo credit: REUTERS/ Nir Elias)
terror cab 311
(photo credit: REUTERS/ Nir Elias)
A resident of Nablus suspected of carrying out a lone-terror attack in southern Tel Aviv was ordered to remain in custody for 10 additional days by the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday during a closeddoor session.
The man, who cannot be named due to a media ban on all details of the investigation, was arrested after ramming a taxi he carjacked at knifepoint into police officers who were protecting the Haoman 17 nightclub filled with teenagers early Monday morning, before launching a stabbing spree.
Eight people were injured in the attack.
Law enforcement officials said the man, who was heard screaming “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, would be charged with attempted murder and armed robbery.
According to reports, the terrorist was not being allowed yet to meet with his lawyer, Uri Keynan, in accordance with a legal decree preventing the meeting.
Keynan was appointed by the Justice Ministry’s Public Defendant department to represent the man, and was not immediately available for comment.
Security services believe the terrorist operated alone, and entered Israel illegally from the West Bank on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Israel Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Yohanan Danino visited the elite Counter-Terrorism Unit on Tuesday together with the head of Operations Branch Cmdr. Nissim Mor and Border Police Chief Cmdr. Yoram Halevi.
During the visit, which took place at an undisclosed location, the police brass were shown maneuvers by the secretive unit’s members.
Danino also heard details of how the unit engaged terror cell members who infiltrated southern Israel and murdered eight Israelis during an attack north of Eilat this month.
“This is one of the best units of its kind in the world,” Danino said. “The professionalism of its fighters, their bravery and determination is what ended the complex incident [near Eilat].
“In this difficult battle, Senior Warrant Officer Paskal Avraham was killed, may his memory be blessed. He was a fighter who turned into a legend during his lifetime.