Yan Shemla was named on Wednesday as the suspect arrested in connection with the suspected deliberate contamination of baby fruit-puree jars with sedative drugs in Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court extended his detention on Tuesday until September 6 after finding that the investigative material established a “significant” reasonable suspicion of his involvement.
Police suspect Shemla of deliberately inserting sedative substances into jars of Prinok fruit puree sold at two Zol Begadol supermarket branches on Jaffa Street.
The offenses under investigation include using poison in a manner that endangers life, theft, and negligent handling of medication.
Shemla, a resident of southern Israel, was arrested at his home on Monday after police reported a breakthrough in the investigation. Officers searched the property before taking him for questioning.
The Magistrate’s Court initially allowed his name to be published but temporarily delayed the decision at the request of his attorney, giving the defense time to consider an appeal. His identity was released on Wednesday morning.
Attorney Zecharia Shenkolevsky, who is representing Shemla through the Public Defender’s Office, said his client has a mental-health condition and is in a complex psychological state.
Several young children hospitalized in Hadassah Medical Center
“The investigation is in its early stages, and we expect it to be conducted while protecting his rights, certainly in light of his medical circumstances,” Shenkolevsky said. He added that Shemla was cooperating with investigators.
The case began in June after several young children were hospitalized at Hadassah-University Medical Center in Ein Kerem with drowsiness, weakness, and apathy after consuming Prinok fruit puree.
They were later discharged in stable condition.
Laboratory testing found clonazepam and lorazepam in five jars examined during the investigation. Both are prescription medications from the benzodiazepine family and can cause drowsiness, weakness, and confusion.
The Health Ministry said all five jars appeared to have been opened or tampered with before they were purchased.
Tests of products obtained from the importer found no contamination, and the ministry said it had found no indication of a manufacturing defect.
The findings shifted the investigation toward the possibility that the substances had been inserted after the jars left the importer. No general recall of Prinok products was issued.
Involved Zol Begadol branches close, then reopen with restrictions
The two Zol Begadol branches where the jars were sold were initially closed and later prohibited from selling food and cosmetic products until stricter quality-control measures were introduced.
Shemla’s detention is currently authorized only through September 6.
If police want to keep him in custody after that date, they will have to return to the Magistrate’s Court and explain what investigative work remains and why his release could endanger the public or interfere with the investigation.
The court could then extend his detention again, release him under restrictions, or order his unconditional release.