Indictment Filed Against Four Beit Shemesh Residents Over Violent Riot Outside Justice Solberg's Home

The State Prosecutor’s Office has filed a serious indictment and a detention request against four Beit Shemesh residents over their alleged role in a violent riot near the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Justice Noam Solberg in Alon Shvut. The defendants are Nachman Platnik, 20, Avraham Fried, 20, Gershon Hanun, 21, and Shimon Atap, 41. The indictment was submitted to the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court by Attorney Ariel Illouz of the Jerusalem District Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the charges, the unrest began after calls circulated on social media for a protest near the justice’s home, in response to rulings dealing with enforcement of military draft obligations on yeshiva students. More than 100 people arrived, including the defendants, and the gathering quickly escalated into what prosecutors described as an especially violent and lawless disturbance around Solberg’s residence.

The indictment says windows were smashed, heavy damage was caused to a car and other property, and stones, posters and flags were thrown at the house. The road leading to the home was blocked at times, and some participants entered the yard and adjoining parking area. One of the judge’s neighbors was attacked, and a police patrol that arrived at the scene was forced to withdraw after participants ran toward it while shouting threats.

Prosecutors say all four defendants took active part in the riot, and two of them are also accused of unlawfully entering the home’s parking area. The charges include the offense of rioting for all four, and trespass for the two. Alongside the indictment, the state asked that the suspects be held in custody. Illouz called it “a serious, extraordinary and unprecedented event” involving violent rioting outside a judge’s home and damage to property because of his judicial role. Police investigations into additional suspects are continuing.