Jerusalem District prosecutors asked the court on Monday to sentence Nabil Shaabani to 22 to 26 years in prison and to impose the maximum compensation for the victim. Shaabani was convicted on Sunday by the Jerusalem District Court, after admitting that he tried to murder a 74-year-old woman in her Jerusalem home for nationalist motives, then robbed her and attacked her again to make sure she died.
According to the amended indictment, Shaabani knew the woman through construction work and repairs he had done in her building and apartment. After finishing a repair job at her home, he strangled her for a long time, stole jewelry and money, and later returned when he saw she was still alive. He then strangled her again and stabbed her in the neck and chest in an effort to kill her.
The woman was seriously injured. Shaabani was convicted of a terrorist act of attempted murder and theft. The case is being handled by attorney Sami Hourani of the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office.
In its sentencing arguments, the prosecution stressed that Shaabani abused the trust created through his prior access to the victim’s home, acted with extreme cruelty, repeatedly tried to ensure her death, and stole her property in addition to trying to kill her. It also cited the nationalist motive, the severe physical and psychological harm to the victim, and the need for deterrence, punishment, and protection of the public. Attorney Racheli Aharoni Zeavi appeared for the prosecution at the hearing.
