Jerusalem Court Extends Detention in Benyahu Razi Murder Case Amid New Evidence

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended the detention of Agam Tzarfati by one week on July 29, 2026. Tzarfati is suspected of involvement in the murder of 19-year-old Benyahu Razi, who was found stabbed to death in an Airbnb apartment in Jerusalem's Nahalat neighborhood about two and a half weeks earlier. During the hearing, incriminating WhatsApp messages between Tzarfati and her friend Shilat Huta, also a suspect, were revealed. One message stated, "He dies today," referring to Razi, indicating premeditation.

Additionally, Tzarfati sent a threatening message to Razi, saying, "You said Shilat and Agam are whores, come see what whores do. I'll show you how to treat kids like you." Inside the detention cell, Tzarfati and Huta allegedly tried to coerce the minor sister of the main suspect, Aviaor Sasson, to take responsibility for the murder by claiming authorship of incriminating WhatsApp messages, hoping for a lighter sentence. The minor refused to cooperate.

Aviaor Sasson, the primary suspect, evaded police for over two weeks before being arrested near Jerusalem's entrance on July 28. He is scheduled for a detention extension hearing. The murder occurred during a gathering in the rented apartment involving Razi, a friend who was also stabbed, and two young women, including Tzarfati, Razi's ex-girlfriend. On the night of the murder, Tzarfati reportedly called her brother, who arrived with a group of youths that lynched Razi. The murder was live-streamed to the two women outside the scene, who later helped suspects flee.

Separately, a prison service officer was arrested on suspicion of obstructing the investigation and breach of trust. Authorities suspect she had a romantic relationship with Sasson's stepbrother, an inmate, and allegedly allowed Sasson to use her phone to hide his location during his escape. Several suspects, some minors, have been detained following a large police manhunt.