Police Admit Lack of Forensic Evidence Linking Suspect to Eldar Dayan Murder

During a hearing on August 19, 2026, regarding the extended detention of Maksim Berberman and Omri Peretz in the Eldar Dayan murder case, Israeli police acknowledged there is no forensic evidence connecting Berberman to the killing. The police also confirmed there is no documentation of a physical altercation between Berberman and the victim. A police representative clarified that investigators never claimed Berberman physically assaulted Dayan and that they are still awaiting the final report from the forensic institute. However, the police noted that Berberman had threatened to kill Dayan, though no fight was recorded.

The defense inquired whether suspicions against members of a second group involved in the case had escalated to charges of manslaughter, but the police denied this. When asked why members of this group were arrested after a covert investigation, the police stated that new evidence had emerged prompting the arrests. The police emphasized that all investigative leads remain under suspicion and are actively being examined.

The case continues to develop with no conclusive forensic proof tying the main suspect to the murder, highlighting ongoing investigative efforts in the city of Petah Tikva. The police's admission marks a significant moment in the high-profile case involving the death of Eldar Dayan.