Police Arrest Suspect in Jerusalem Baby Food Sedative Poisoning Case

Israeli police have apprehended a suspect in the case of sedatives being added to baby food sold in Jerusalem supermarkets. The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Yan Shamla from Beersheba, allegedly tampered with baby food packages by adding sleeping medication before returning them to store shelves. The investigation began in June after several infants were hospitalized with symptoms of benzodiazepine poisoning, believed to be linked to baby food purchased in the capital.

Security camera footage, purportedly showing the moment before a tampered package was returned, has been released by the police. Investigators meticulously reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance footage from various locations to identify Shamla. Undercover officers then monitored his movements until sufficient evidence was gathered for his arrest in late August. The Shin Bet security service also participated in the investigation.

The prosecution intends to file charges against Shamla in the coming days and will request an additional five-day detention period. This development follows a previous report by "Cursor" on the mass poisoning of children in Jerusalem, with the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court having previously authorized the release of new details regarding the incident.