Police to Charge Eldar Dayan's Friends Amid Violent Disappearance Investigation

Israeli police in Petah Tikva are preparing to indict two friends of Eldar Dayan, a 22-year-old from Dimona who disappeared about two weeks ago. The suspects were with Dayan during a violent fight in Hod Hasharon, where they allegedly threatened to kill him. Despite ongoing extensive searches, Dayan remains missing. The court extended the suspects' detention until the coming Wednesday, reflecting the seriousness of the charges and significant progress in the investigation.

The incident began in an open area in Hod Hasharon, where Dayan and his two friends, reportedly under the influence of illegal substances, were involved in a confrontation. The friends initially left Dayan alone with his phone inside their car. Upon their return, a larger group joined, escalating into a severe physical altercation. One suspect, Maxim Barberman, allegedly attempted to run over a member of the opposing group multiple times, causing minor injuries. Crucially, the two friends threatened Dayan's life during the fight, a key element in the investigation.

After the fight, the three fled in a car, later abandoning it near a gas station on Route 40 in Petah Tikva after removing its license plates to avoid identification. When police approached, they hid nearby. The two friends then took public transport back to Dimona, where they were arrested, while Dayan separated from them near Petah Tikva and has not been seen since. Police continue searching for him, suspecting he may be hiding due to being wanted for questioning.

Defense attorney Guy Ein Tzvi criticized the court's decision to extend detention, claiming his client is held without substantial progress and that no accident investigation was conducted on the vehicle. He argued the suspects are effectively held "hostage" due to Dayan's disappearance. Earlier inconsistencies between the friends' statements and security footage shifted their status from witnesses to suspects. With new evidence including threats and attempted vehicular assault, indictments are expected soon. Dayan's family awaits any information on his whereabouts with great anxiety.