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Prosecutors Indict 16 Teens in Killing of Petah Tikva Pizza Worker

The filing clarifies who will face which counts in a case that has become a test of how Israel prosecutes violent offenses by minors.

Overview

  • The Central District Prosecutor’s Office filed indictments in the Lod District Court against 16 teenagers tied to the fatal stabbing of Pizza Hut worker Yimano Binyamin Zelka in Petah Tikva.
  • The 15-year-old accused of stabbing Zelka is charged with murder described as "murder with indifference," while 15 others face aggravated intentional assault and three of them also face obstruction of justice.
  • Investigation materials state the knife wound struck a major artery in the groin, caused heavy blood loss, and led to Zelka’s death.
  • Police say the attack followed a confrontation that began after teens sprayed foam inside the restaurant on Independence Day eve.
  • Zelka’s family held a protest outside the prosecutor’s office, urging harsher charges and criticizing what they view as delays and lenient treatment of the suspects.