Jerusalem Court Rejects Murder Charges Against Two Women

A Jerusalem court has determined there is insufficient evidence to charge two women, Agam Zerfi, 19, and Shilat Huta, 20, with the murder of Benayahu Razi. The ruling came as the prosecution sought to extend their detention until the end of legal proceedings. Judge Elad Parsky stated that while the evidence does not support a murder conviction, there is probable cause to charge them with aiding and abetting murder. The court ordered the two women to undergo probation service assessments to explore the possibility of their release to alternative detention, such as house arrest. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for November 22.

Attorneys for Zerfi and Huta welcomed the decision, emphasizing that the court acknowledged the lack of evidence for a murder conspiracy. They argued that their clients were not involved in the planning of the murder and did not wish for Razi's death. Zerfi's lawyers also raised serious concerns about her treatment in detention, alleging harsh and humiliating conditions by the Prison Service and expressing hope for fair treatment and eventual release.

Razi was fatally stabbed in July in a rented vacation apartment in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem. According to the indictment, Zerfi and Huta arrived at the apartment claiming Razi and a friend had attacked them. Subsequently, a group of four minors allegedly armed themselves with knives and other weapons, entered the apartment, and fatally stabbed Razi. The murder charges against Zerfi and Huta, as well as the four minors involved, remain pending.