Two Teens Indicted for Arson at Japnika Restaurant in Givatayim with 4.5 Liters of Flammable Liquid

The State Prosecution filed an indictment against two 18-year-old youths from Rehovot, Hanan Yaakov and Osher Bayekh, for setting fire to the Japnika restaurant in Givatayim about a month ago. The indictment, submitted to the Tel Aviv District Court, charges them with aggravated arson.

According to the indictment presented by Attorney Tamar Teitelbaum from the Tel Aviv District Prosecution, the suspects arrived at the restaurant around 4 a.m. wearing camouflage clothing and carrying about 4.5 liters of flammable liquid in plastic bottles, along with ignition devices. Yaakov poured the flammable liquid and ignited the restaurant while an employee was inside the premises. The two then fled the scene.

The prosecution emphasized that their actions posed a serious danger to the public and the employee, and only by chance did the incident result in property damage without bodily harm. In addition to arson, Bayekh faces charges of impersonation and obstructing a police officer after attempting to evade arrest and identifying himself as another person. The prosecution has requested that both remain in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings.