Two Convicted of Stealing Sound Equipment from Nova Festival Site

A Beer Sheva Magistrate's Court sentenced two men to prison for stealing valuable sound systems from the site of the Nova music festival in Re'im, just two days after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The main defendant, Ram Shahin, received a seven-year prison sentence, a fine of NIS 60,000, and NIS 75,000 in compensation to the parents of Matan Lior, who was killed at the festival, and NIS 25,000 to Lior's partner. The stolen equipment was valued at NIS 800,000 and belonged to Lior, who was murdered while trying to rescue others during the attack.

Shahin was described by the court as the "driving force and main criminal engine" behind the theft and was also found to have acted deceitfully towards police investigators. In addition to his prison term and fine, he received suspended sentences for property or fraud offenses. The second defendant, Daniel Hasson, who attempted to sell the stolen equipment, pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 40 months in prison, a NIS 30,000 fine, and NIS 40,000 in compensation to Lior's parents, plus NIS 15,000 to Lior's partner. He also received similar suspended sentences.

Judge Amir Doron strongly condemned the defendants' actions as a "cynical, calculated, and manipulative exploitation of the chaos, grief, and helplessness at the massacre site for financial gain from abandoned property." The court emphasized that the acts severely violated the dignity of the deceased and human sanctity, undermined the rule of law, social solidarity, public trust, and property rights during an unprecedented national crisis. The court imposed sentences harsher than those requested by the prosecution and defense, stating the public expects a clear and deterrent message against those who desecrated the victims' dignity and stole their property in their most difficult hour. The sentencing for a third defendant will be determined later. This verdict sets an important precedent for legal proceedings involving looting and theft following the October 7 events, sending a clear message against exploiting the national crisis for economic profit.