Prison Service Criticized for Humiliating Treatment of Murder Suspect

Video footage showing the harsh treatment of Agam Zarfati, a suspect in the murder of Benayahu Razi, has sparked severe criticism from the Public Defender's Office. Zarfati, 19, was transferred to Abu Kabir prison and subsequently filmed in the detention facility corridors. The footage depicts her being handled like a "terrorist," surrounded by masked combatants with helmets, metal detectors, and undergoing searches as if she were a Hamas operative. In one instance, guards are seen searching her personal belongings and feminine hygiene products.

The Public Defender's Office condemned the treatment as "deplorable, degrading, and unjustified," stating it exemplifies a "severe crisis within the prison system." They argued that the actions constitute a "blatant violation of fundamental rights" for any detainee, especially one presumed innocent during an ongoing trial. The office further criticized the alleged endorsement of such behavior by the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and called for an immediate response from the Commissioner of the Prison Service.

Benayahu Razi was murdered on July 11 in his Jerusalem apartment. An indictment was filed about a month later against seven individuals. Zarfati, along with five minors and another woman, Shilat Huta, are accused of premeditated murder and aggravated assault. The indictment alleges that Zarfati and Huta claimed Razi had been violent towards them, leading to a group decision to attack him. The group allegedly armed themselves with knives, clubs, and other weapons before proceeding to Razi's apartment, with Zarfati and Huta waiting in a car while the others entered with Razi and a friend, M. Inside, an altercation ensued, and Razi was fatally stabbed in the chest, while M. was also attacked and injured.