Castelman Family Accuses Police of Obstructing Justice in Son's Death Investigation

The parents of Yuval Castelman, who was killed by friendly fire, have petitioned Israel's Supreme Court (High Court of Justice) seeking a criminal investigation into police officers for alleged obstruction of justice in the investigation of their son's death. The family claims there is "heavy suspicion" that police officials, particularly one specific officer from the Jerusalem District's Central Police Unit, deliberately interfered with the investigation.

According to the petition, the Israel Police did not officially announce a criminal investigation into Castelman's death, unlike the Military Police, which confirmed it would investigate. The family alleges that the police only initiated an investigation after a video of the shooting was released by Channel 13 and due to public pressure. They further claim that the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) did not consult with the military prosecution or Military Police investigators.

Yuval Castelman was fatally shot by an off-duty reservist soldier, Aviad Friga, after Castelman had neutralized a terrorist during an attack at the entrance to Jerusalem. The indictment against Friga states that he continued firing at Castelman even after another soldier called to stop, and despite Castelman having his hands raised, removing his coat, and posing no threat.

The state, in its response to the petition, argues that no sufficient evidentiary basis was found to suggest that any involved parties acted with intent to obstruct justice. The state asserts that the decision by the Attorney General's Office, made after a thorough review of all relevant materials, was professional, reasoned, and reasonable, and therefore the petition should be dismissed. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case.