Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., April 01, 2008 Adar2 26, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:39 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Francois Abutbul in Tel Aviv District Court on Sunday. (Motti Kimche) Last update - 17:55 19/11/2006 Two members of reputed crime family charged with 2004 murder By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent Tel Aviv district prosecutors on Sunday charged two members of a reputed crime family with the murder of an 18-year-old youth outside a Shefayim nightclub roughly two years ago. The indictment alleges that Francois Abutbul and his cousin, Avi Abutbul, arrived at the club at Kibbutz Shefayim on the December 18th, 2004, after being summoned by Amir Abutbul, Avi's brother, following a fight between Avi and his friends and a group of youths from Rishon Letzion. When Francois and Avi Abutbul arrived at the club, the Rishon Letzion group tried to flee, but not before allegedly stabbed Abutbul's friend Chen Mesika. Advertisement Francois and Avi Abutbul subsequently chased 18-year-old Ra'anan Levi from Rishon Letzion in their jeep, who was eventually dragged several meters by the vehicle. At this point, the indictment alleges that Francois instructed Avi to stop the jeep. Francois exited the vehicle and proceeded to stab Levi several times in the chest and leg. Levi succumbed to his wounds a short while later. Two additional friends of the Abutbul cousins, Shai Machluf and Assaf Ben-David, were charged as accomplices to the murder. The two were allegedly sitting in the back of the jeep while the attack took place. The prosecution petitioned the court to remand the suspects until the conclusion of legal proceedings against them. The presiding judge decided to leave Avi and Francois Abutbul in custody, but placed Machluf and Ben-David under house arrest. Attorney Revital Sawid, speaking on behalf of the defense team, said, "The indictment has no evidentiary basis, but rather is a result of the pressure exerted on the prosecution by the media." "The evidence in the case is based on hearsay and inadmissible evidence," said Sawid. "We have no doubt that soon we will prove that if not for the media pressure there would have been no indictment." Bookmark to del.icio.us   The gift of dignity T.A. charity provides female drug addicts with shower, meal and counseling. Sign of life Hamas leader says Gilad Shalit is still alive after two years in captivity.   1.   put him away 19:26  |  arlen 19/11/06   2.   Jewish Mob were the first to beat up Nazis 22:38  |  Jake 19/11/06   3.   Had the victim been an Israeli Arab... 02:32  |  Rami 20/11/06

Today Online Hamas TV puppet 'kills' Bush as revenge for U.S., Israeli actions Responses: 210 Editorial: Israel's settlement policy is one of deception Responses: 104 Barak heeds Rice, softens stance on PA running Gaza crossings Responses: 56 'If rabbis won't marry interfaith couples, they should send them to someone who will' Responses: 25 Rosner's Domain Clinton and Obama voters support Israel in similar numbers Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: What percentage of Jews will vote McCain? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) More Headlines 16:33 Barak: Gaza crossings may open if violence stops 20:18 WHO: Israel turning away sick Gazans, who die in 'avoidable tragedies' 19:27 Benizri: I've been persecuted for 8 years for no fault of my own 20:05 Fischer: Israel's growth to slow in 2008 due to global slump 16:55 Two civilians lightly hurt in mortar attack on Negev kibbutz 19:47 Falafel oil provides power for T.A. 'Earth Hour' concert 16:42 Facebook, Google founders to attend Jerusalem conference in May 16:38 Yesha Chief Rabbi: Giving arms to the PA is against Jewish law 18:40 Reputed crime family member denies 2004 teen murder 17:31 Police arrest Netivot mother suspected of raping two sons 16:40 Revealing God's female voice 15:29 Shortage of prison cells hampers PA law and order campaign 20:36 U.K. archives shed light on female spy who led anti-Nazi resistance Previous Editions Select Day 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar

Special Offers Advertisement Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Behind the Z Word Scholarly essays, commentary, podcasts, blogs and much more. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates Pardes Institute Summer Sessions Study Jewish texts and issues in Jerusalem, Co-ed, All Levels FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved