Israeli Police Reopen Tair Rada Murder Case After 20 Years Following New Evidence

Twenty years after the murder of Tair Rada, a case that shocked Israel, the police have decided to reopen the investigation based on new information that recently came to light. The inquiry has been transferred from the Northern District Unit to the Tel Aviv District Unit, which is now exploring new investigative leads. This decision followed high-level police meetings, including participation by Police Commissioner Danni Levi, who concluded that a new investigative direction warranted further examination.

In December 2024, Ola Kravchenko, whose name has resurfaced in connection with the Rada case, testified at the Tel Aviv District Court during a defamation lawsuit involving her ex-partner Adir Havni and the creators of the series "Shadow of Truth." Kravchenko admitted to previously lying and confirmed she had lied during the Roman Zadorov trial, who was convicted and later acquitted of Rada's murder. During the hearing, the defense presented a previously unseen photograph of Rada's neck wound, approved by her mother Ilana Rada, which matched Havni's detailed description of the injury as told by Kravchenko. Although Kravchenko initially claimed Havni learned the details from media sources, she later conceded under judicial scrutiny that such specific details could not have been obtained from any public source.

Roman Zadorov, acquitted of Rada's murder two and a half years ago, is set to receive 17 million shekels in compensation from the state for the 15 years he spent imprisoned. This settlement, reached through mediation with the prosecution, is reportedly the highest compensation awarded to a wrongfully convicted prisoner in Israel.