Man Sentenced to 11.5 Years for Aiding Cousin's Murder in Arab Town
A Haifa District Court has sentenced Fares Assala, 23, from Arraba, to 11.5 years in prison for aiding in the murder of his 21-year-old cousin, Saleh Assala. The sentence, handed down by judges Inas Salameh, Natanel Banishu, and Shlomo Benjo, falls short of the prosecution's request for 12 to 16 years. Assala was originally charged with murder under aggravating circumstances, but a plea deal reduced the charge to aiding murder due to evidentiary challenges.
Two other individuals, identified only as "others" in court documents, carried out the shooting, firing 38 bullets at Saleh Assala on October 17, 2024, as he was on his way to a wedding. The incident occurred in a residential area with vehicles passing by and children playing nearby. Fares Assala was accused of assisting in the planning, locating the victim, driving the shooters to the scene, and aiding their escape. The car used in the getaway was found burned the following day.
The prosecution argued for a harsher sentence, citing Assala's involvement in the planning and escape, as well as his prior criminal record. His defense attorney, Shadi Saruji, contended that the indictment was significantly altered, emphasizing that his client did not fire the weapon, was not present at the immediate shooting site, and that the case had substantial evidentiary weaknesses. The prosecution agreed to the plea deal, stating it was due to evidentiary difficulties and the importance of securing Assala's confession and acceptance of responsibility.
Two brothers from Arraba were arrested during the investigation but were later released without charges. The identities of the two shooters remain unknown and they were never indicted. The victim's family, represented by attorney Assi Pisu from the Ministry of Justice's victim support program, consented to the plea deal to avoid a lengthy trial and further confrontation with the details of the murder. Fares Assala expressed remorse and a desire for treatment and family reunification upon release.
