Israeli Man Charged with Murder in Car Bombing in Residential Neighborhood of Afula

A 38-year-old man from the Jezreel Valley is set to be charged with the murder of Ovnech Dinko, who died from injuries sustained in a car bomb explosion in a residential area of Afula on May 26. The explosion occurred in the morning, and Dinko was rushed to Emek Medical Center in critical condition, where he later died. Following the incident, police launched an investigation led by the Northern District commander, Meir Eliyahu, and transferred the case to the Central Unit of the Emek region for further inquiry.

Police apprehended the suspect hours after the bombing, finding him in possession of a stolen vehicle with legitimate license plates taken from a similar car. Investigations revealed that the suspect had spent approximately eight hours preparing the scene and access routes before the explosion. Ovnech Dinko’s brother, Yitzhak, described him as an intelligent, socially active man with a background in engineering who was well-liked in the community and not involved in any criminal activity. He expressed deep grief and called for a thorough investigation and justice for those responsible.

The Northern District Prosecutor’s Office, represented by attorneys Yaara Barzilai Cohen and Roy Elpasi, will file the indictment at the Nazareth District Court. Commander Meir Eliyahu emphasized the police’s commitment to solving serious crimes swiftly and thoroughly, highlighting the rapid progress in this case as a result of dedicated investigative efforts. He assured that law enforcement continues to work intensively to bring all perpetrators of serious crimes to justice.