For the fourth time: extended detention of Yishai Schlissel

Three weeks after the stabbing at the 'abomination parade' in Jerusalem, murder suspect Yishai Schlissel was found fit to stand trial, after it became apparent that he stabbed with a sound mind.

This morning (Thursday), Yishai Schlissel was brought back to the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court where he was remanded until next Monday, the 24.8.

"With all the great sorrow, one has to know that whoever walks in the Jerusalem Gay Parade fights against the Almighty" said Schlissel upon entering the courtroom.

A police representative submitted a a statement to the court prosecutor, prior to the indictment against him for the murder of the late Shira Banki, and attempted murder of six other people. He added that the police have ample evidence, including testimonies and photographs, linking Schlissel to the committed the offense. As recalled, he was convicted of attempted murder in the past on the background of the parade.

Judge Anna Schneider said that according to the psychiatric opinion of physicians at the Jerusalem Center for Mental Health, Kfar Shaul Mental Health Center, "the respondent is fit to stand trial and held accountable," and extended his arrest, as said.

During the discussions so far, the suspect refused to cooperate with the judges and the Public Defender. "You have no authority to judge me according to the laws of the holy Torah, and therefore I do not want to cooperate or wish to be represented," he repeated in any legal proceedings.

A week and a half ago, in the last hearing, it emerged that Schlissel was interrogated on three different occasions, but in all of them he chose to remain silent, even when he was presented with the images of him drawing a knife and stabbing the participants in the parade and when presented with some videos documenting the parade and the stabbing incident.

Schlissel arriving in court for a remand hearing first. Photo: Shlomo Mor

Earlier this week, the findings of the committee appointed to examine the police preparedness and incident handling at the abomination parade, headed by retired Israeli Major General Israel Yitzhak were transferred to acting police chief Bentzi Sau.

After things were presented to the public security minister, Gilad Erdan, he asked to perform a number of tests and integrity regarding questions raised during the presentation of the findings, and demanded further clarifications to some of the events.

The commission was established after a series of failures, for which the police was to prepare in advance: Schlissel, who stabbed parade participants in 2005, was released a few weeks prior to the march in 2015, but even though he never expressed remorse for his actions - no police/IPS surveillance was attached to him; Schlissel advertised in his home town of Modi'in Illit, where he wrote that "It is the duty of every Jew to give himself up for a beating and imprisonment, and even danger," as he noted in his letter in handwriting, which was first exposed in Behadrey Haredim. In addition, Schlissel was interviewed by 'Kav Nayes' a few days nefore the parade, and said emphatically, "We must do everything to disrupt".

Despite all this, Schlissel walked freely the streets of Jerusalem, arrived at the march, stabbed to death the late Shira Banki and tried to stab six other people. He was arrested by police since then his arrest has been extended periodically. Yesterday (Wednesday) the district psychiatrist gave his opinions to the police and court, according to which Schlissel was found fit to stand trial - and stabbed the marchers in sound mind.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!