Criminal10/25/2026

Court Refuses to Compel Professor Nevo to Undergo a Psychiatric Examination

The Central District Court in Lod refrained from sending Professor Shahar Nevo for a psychiatric examination against his will. Nevo is charged with preparation to commit an act of terrorism, extortion by threats, and obstruction of justice, but has not yet been convicted.

Key facts

•Defendant: Professor Shahar Nevo
•Court: Central District Court in Lod
•Judge: Eliana Danieli
•Charges: preparation to commit an act of terrorism, extortion by threats, and obstruction of justice
•No decision was made to conduct a psychiatric examination against his will
•The case number and the exact date of the hearing are not specified

What the Professor Is Accused Of

Shahar Nevo, a mathematics lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, was brought before the court on charges of planning large-scale attacks against Arabs. According to the source, the indictment charges him with preparation to commit an act of terrorism, extortion by threats, and obstruction of justice. The case number and the date of the hearing are not specified in the publication.

Why the Question of an Examination Arose

At the hearing, Nevo stated that he had not previously undergone psychiatric examinations and that he saw no grounds for an assessment of his mental condition. He relied on the fact that he continued working as a professor at the university while preparing the plan on which the charge is based and, according to him, acted logically and rationally. Nevo also argued that only the first page of his 20-page document had been presented to the public, while its substance appears on pages 2–20.

What the Parties and the Court Decided

Nevo’s attorneys from the Public Defender’s Office, Hadar Sharir and Alon Porat, agreed that prima facie evidence exists against him, but described the legal picture as more complex and moderate than the one presented in the indictment. Neither the prosecution nor the defense requested a psychiatric opinion, and Nevo himself expressly opposed an examination. Judge Eliana Danieli decided not to order one by force, noting the serious and traumatic nature of such a measure, especially when it is conducted under hospitalization conditions, as well as the prosecution’s indication that Nevo behaved logically and rationally during the investigation.

What Remained Outside the Decision

The court did not rule on Nevo’s guilt and did not make a final assessment of the extent to which the charges against him were substantiated. The decision dealt only with the possibility of referring him for a psychiatric examination. The source also does not report a final decision on Nevo’s request to be transferred to a religious wing at Ayalon Prison.

What this means for you

A psychiatric examination of a defendant is not conducted automatically because of the unusual nature or severity of the acts attributed to him. The court considers the parties’ positions, the person’s behavior, and the extent of the infringement of his rights; in this case, the court found no grounds for an examination against his will. However, the refusal to order an examination says nothing about guilt or innocence in the criminal case itself.

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Case analysis based on court rulings