Court Extends Detention of Suspect in Infant Poisoning Case

A Jerusalem Magistrate's Court has extended the detention of a man in his 40s by six days as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged deliberate contamination of infant food products with sedatives. The suspect, a resident of southern Israel, was arrested earlier this week following a two-month investigation.

During a court hearing, a representative for the investigative unit stated that the respondent is "deliberately involved and relatively close to the poisoning incident." The judge found "reasonable suspicion with significant intensity" for offenses including the use of poison to endanger life, negligent handling of medication, and theft, emphasizing the severe danger posed by the alleged intentional poisoning of baby food.

The judge also noted that "dozens of investigative actions are required, including actions prone to obstruction," justifying the continued detention. The court ordered a psychiatric evaluation for the suspect, following his lawyer's claim that he suffers from manic depression. However, an initial assessment found him fit for detention.

The case first came to light two months ago when four infants were hospitalized with unusual drowsiness and weakness. Health Ministry lab tests revealed the presence of potent benzodiazepine sedatives, clonazepam and lorazepam, in "Prinok" brand fruit puree jars purchased from two branches of the "Zol U'Begalol" (Cheap and Big) supermarket chain in Jerusalem.

Professor Saar Haschke, director of the pediatric emergency department at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, described the initial discovery, stating that the infants presented with similar symptoms and tests indicated exposure to sedatives. The investigation is ongoing to identify further suspects and trace the source of the sedatives and how they were introduced into the products. The two "Zol U'Begalol" branches where the contaminated products were purchased were issued immediate closure orders by the Health Ministry due to operating without business licenses and poor sanitary conditions.