Israeli Police Arrest Additional Suspect in Barak Abramov's Japnika Chain Bombing Case

Israeli police announced the arrest of an additional suspect in the ongoing investigation involving Barak Abramov and his Japnika restaurant chain. The suspect was detained on suspicion of throwing a grenade at a Japnika branch in Kiryat Ono, owned by the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club owner. The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court extended the suspect's detention by 12 days. The investigation is being conducted by the Central Unit of the Tel Aviv District Police.

This incident is part of a series of violent events targeting Japnika branches in various cities including Givatayim, Herzliya, Ramat Gan, Netanya, Or Yehuda, and Afula. Besides the newly arrested suspect, four other individuals remain in custody with their detention extended until July 19.

Barak Abramov founded an investment group in 2006 that owned several restaurant chains, including Japnika. In 2015, he bought out his partner to fully own Japnika, which had about 20 branches, for 50 million shekels. In May 2026, Abramov sold 20% of his investment group in a deal expected to inject around 200 million shekels into his group.

Abramov also has a notable history in Israeli football, having purchased Bnei Yehuda in 2016, leading the team to two State Cup victories before selling it back in 2022. He then acquired Beitar Jerusalem, where he implemented significant changes that restored the club's prominence, including winning the State Cup for the first time since 2009.