Friend of Murdered Benyahu Razi Contradicts Suspects’ Self-Defense Claims

A key witness in the murder case of Benyahu Razi, who was fatally stabbed in Jerusalem, has disputed the main suspect’s claim of self-defense. The central suspect, 17-year-old Aviaor Sasson, told investigators he acted to protect himself after Razi allegedly drew a knife first. However, Metanya, a friend of Razi who was also attacked that night, provided a conflicting account, stating that Razi never held a knife and that the weapons belonged to the attackers. Metanya said, "It’s not logical that he was stabbed with his own knife," and accused the suspects of trying to evade responsibility.

During the court hearing on August 5, a prosecutor’s statement was filed against seven suspects involved in the killing, which occurred in an Airbnb apartment in the Nachlaot neighborhood. Metanya, who was wounded three times during the assault, described seeing a folded pocketknife on the floor and insisted that Razi was stabbed by the attackers, not himself. He also challenged the suspects’ claims that the female witnesses were afraid and had their phones taken, pointing out that the women made live video calls during the incident.

WhatsApp messages presented in court revealed prior intent to harm Razi, including a threatening message from one of the women, Agam Tzarfati, to another suspect. The investigation also uncovered attempts by Tzarfati and another woman, Shilat Huta, to persuade Sasson’s underage sister to take responsibility for the murder, which she refused. Additionally, a prison officer was arrested on suspicion of obstructing the investigation by aiding Sasson’s brother, who was evading arrest.

Razi, 19, from Givat Ze’ev, was stabbed to death during the altercation involving two women and a group of youths summoned to the scene. The case continues to develop with ongoing investigations into the roles of all involved parties and potential misconduct by law enforcement personnel.