Man Arrested for Arson Near Assuta Ashdod Hospital After Dissatisfaction with Care
A 56-year-old resident of Be'er Yaakov was arrested in southern Israel after setting fire to an electric vehicle near the Assuta Ashdod Medical Center. His detention was extended pending further decisions. The suspect stated, "I did it because I did not receive proper treatment at the hospital." The fire spread rapidly, causing extensive damage to the vehicle, which was declared a total loss. The car was valued at approximately NIS 103,000, with an additional NIS 5,000 in damaged personal belongings inside.
A passerby noticed the flames and alerted the hospital's security guard, who began efforts to extinguish the fire before firefighters arrived and put it out. The suspect remained at the scene and was taken for questioning. Investigators collected evidence, including security camera footage that reportedly captured the man exiting the hospital and intentionally setting the car ablaze without attempting to put out the flames.
Authorities discovered the suspect has a significant criminal record, including offenses related to violence, threats, property damage, harassment, and contempt of court, with prior prison sentences. Some past cases resulted in psychiatric hospitalization.
The case file was transferred to the Southern District Prosecutor's Office, which, through attorney Shani Sapir-Aslan, has filed an indictment for arson and malicious damage. A request to detain the suspect until the end of legal proceedings was also submitted to the Be'er Sheva District Court. The prosecution argued that the suspect, without clear reason, set fire to a vehicle near the hospital, causing substantial property damage. They emphasized that the quick response of civilians and hospital security prevented the fire from spreading further, especially given the heightened risk associated with electric vehicles.
Given his extensive criminal history, the prosecution requested that he not be granted alternative detention. Judge Nasser Abu Taha extended the suspect's detention until further notice. His defense attorneys, Akram Hasouna and Eitan Friedman from the Public Defense, requested access to the indictment and investigation materials to formulate their defense.
