A magistrate's court in Rishon LeZion on Wednesday extended by seven days the remand of Chen Cohen, the husband of Leah Ofri Malka Cohen, who is suspected of murdering her. It is the third extension since his arrest on June 4 on suspicion of murder, conspiracy, and planning to commit a crime.
Police told the court that there has been a major breakthrough in the investigation since the last remand hearing, including new information about the motive. Investigators said Cohen continues to refuse to give them the password to his mobile phone, while the police cyber unit has also failed to break into the device. He has been questioned three times, denied the allegations, and at times remained silent. He told investigators that when the car exploded, killing his wife in an explosive device weighing about half a kilogram, he was asleep at home with his mother and the housekeeper.
The police said they believe that even if he was at home at the time, that would not rule out his involvement. They are also examining a theory that the killing was carried out with others and may have involved contact with criminal figures. Investigators said the evidence collected so far contradicts parts of Cohen's version and raises questions about his claims.
Police also told the court that Leah's family filed two complaints about threats in the weeks before the murder. The prosecution sought to keep Cohen in custody because of his danger to the public and the risk of obstructing the investigation. Judge Guy Mimon said there is reasonable suspicion for the offenses attributed to Cohen, wrote that new evidence had accumulated against him, and noted that he is deliberately hindering the probe by refusing to hand over the phone code. He ordered Cohen held until June 23 while the investigation continues.
