Hired Killer Who Cried at Graves Remained Silent on Witness Stand
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Hired killer Yaron Sankar received two consecutive life sentences for a 2003 double murder. Despite expressing remorse and cooperating initially with investigators, Sankar later refused to testify in the trial of those who allegedly hired him. Prosecutors described the case as complex, involving multiple attempted assassinations and highlighting the dangers posed to innocent civilians. The conviction of the Ohana brothers, believed to be the orchestrators, was considered the case's main achievement, marking a significant blow against organized crime in Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yaron Sankar was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for a double murder.
- Sankar expressed remorse and visited victims' graves but later refused to testify.
- The case involved multiple attempted assassinations and complex investigations.
- Prosecutors considered the conviction of the Ohana brothers the case's main achievement.
- The case marked a turning point in combating organized crime in Israel.
Yaron Sankar, an unusual Israeli contract killer, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the murders of two people in a Hod Hasharon barbershop. Despite investigators taking him to various locations, including the Baba Sali's grave, and expecting him to reveal details about those who hired him, Sankar remained silent on the witness stand during the trial of others involved.
Miki Foran, a prosecutor in the Central District Attorney's Office, described the case as highly unusual, involving a complex investigation that lasted about two months before the indictment. Sankar's criminal activities escalated after he escaped from prison and became a hitman for the Ohana brothers, undertaking missions that included attempted assassinations of prominent crime figures like Shimon Zrihan, Shalom Domerani, and Yaakov Alfron, as well as a plot to use a car bomb against Yitzhak Aberjel and others.
Foran noted Sankar's complex personality, acknowledging acts of murder alongside expressions of remorse. Sankar reportedly visited the graves of victims and cried, and during the investigation, he expressed regret. However, Foran stated that Sankar later focused on his legal defense to avoid a heavy sentence, emphasizing that murder is a free choice regardless of personal circumstances.
One particularly striking incident involved Sankar's alleged refusal to detonate a car bomb near a venue with children present, a decision Foran linked to Sankar's complex character and a perceived "red line." The most impactful event for Foran was the double murder in 2003, where Sankar killed Haim Shavi, the intended target, and Tomer Shabat, a barber who was mistakenly killed due to a similar shirt. The testimony of Shabat's brother, an eyewitness, deeply affected Foran and highlighted the danger to innocent civilians caught in criminal conflicts.
Proving Sankar's connections to his employers was a major challenge, relying heavily on his confessions, which were corroborated by communication data and other evidence. Despite the lack of modern technology like smartphones and widespread surveillance cameras at the time, investigators meticulously pieced together the case. Sankar's excellent memory aided in verifying details. The prosecution decided against a state witness deal for Sankar, believing they could uncover the truth without it and due to his direct involvement in murders.
Unconventional investigative tactics were employed, including taking Sankar to various locations and using a police officer disguised as a rabbi, which Foran deemed inappropriate. However, he maintained that these tactics did not invalidate Sankar's confessions, as they were deemed genuine and the flaws did not warrant dismissal. Sankar's remorse, including requests to visit victims' graves and crying, supported the prosecution's claim that his confessions were sincere.
During the trial of the Ohana brothers, Sankar unexpectedly refused to testify, holding up a sign indicating his intention to remain silent. This silence allowed prosecutors to use his prior police statements. Foran considered the conviction of the Ohana brothers, the masterminds behind the murders, as the true achievement of the case, marking a turning point in the fight against organized crime in Israel during a period of heightened violence.