Court Rejects Request to Transfer Murder Case of Teen to Criminal Mediation

The Central District Court rejected a 15-year-old defendant's request to move his murder trial to criminal mediation. The minor is accused of killing Yamno Zalaka. His defense attorney, Avi Cohen, argued that the case is complex and expected to be lengthy, seeking to explore mediation to avoid a full evidentiary hearing. However, the prosecution opposed this, emphasizing the case's significant public importance and the necessity to fully investigate the truth through a formal trial. Deputy President of the Court, Judge Ami Kobo, sided with the prosecution, ruling that mediation is not appropriate at this stage. Nonetheless, he instructed both parties to continue negotiations to possibly reach an agreement.