Court Orders Better Jail Conditions for Murder Suspect After Prison Video Leak

A Tel Aviv district court has ordered the Israel Prison Service (IPS) to review the treatment of Agam Zarfati, a suspect in the murder of Binyamin Razi, following the social media leak of a video showing her in harsh conditions within the prison.

The court sharply criticized the actions depicted in the video and the IPS's handling of the incident. Judge Gilad Has stated that the actions taken against Zarfati were "excessive and damaging to her dignity, without real reason," and suggested such actions "would be better carried out not by men in order to maintain appropriate boundaries."

The court also ordered the IPS to reconsider Zarfati's request to speak with her parents, which had been broadly prohibited. Additionally, her solitary confinement was forbidden, and the duration of her paired confinement was reduced from 30 days to six.

Zarfati's defense team filed a petition seeking a restraining order against the IPS, alleging the video was leaked from the office of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and calling the situation "political." They described a search where Zarfati was allegedly forced to the floor, dragged in shorts, and filmed, comparing it to treatment of terrorists. The defense warned of further escalation, including potential incitement of other prisoners against her, and announced plans for a civil lawsuit.

Minister Ben-Gvir had previously shared the video, stating, "In my policy, murderers will not celebrate in prison!" He praised the prison guards involved. The victim's mother, Dikla, expressed deep shock at the court's decision, arguing that Zarfati violated arrest rules and that her son, Binyamin Razi, who was under 19, is the sole victim.

Zarfati and another individual are accused of stabbing Razi following a dispute that allegedly began over his treatment of Zarfati. Seven individuals have been indicted in connection with Razi's murder.