Last update - 00:00 16/11/2007
Basketball fan whose flare hurt security guard stays in jail
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ordered Yossi Malach, the 20-year-old basketball patron alleged to have thrown a firecracker which severely injured the hand of a security guard during a game, stay in jail.
The court had ordered Malah remanded to house arrest, but police appealed the ruling.
Malach is a fan of the Hapoel Holon basketball club, which squared off against Hapoel Jerusalem in the now infamous game in Malha Arena in Jerusalem this week. After the firecracker incident, play was suspended, and Malach and three of his companions were arrested for allegedly smuggling the flare into the arena.
Malach later confessed to hurling the flare and expressed regret. Police are investigating whether Malach acted alone, as he insists he did, or whether his friends acted as accomplices.
Malach is no stranger to run-ins with the law, having been involved in throwing a firecracker onto the playing field as well as other criminal related incidents.