Criminal8/20/2026

For the First Time: Indictment Filed for Murder With the Aim of Obstructing a Judicial Proceeding

The State Attorney’s Office filed an indictment against three men for committing a double murder in northern Israel. According to the indictment, contractor Marwan Abu Shahin was killed to prevent him from testifying in an extortion case, while private investigator Saada Saada happened to be at the crime scene.

Key facts

•Court: Nazareth–Nof HaGalil District Court
•Defendants: Said Maddah, Ronen Araida, and Ayman Ibrahim
•Date of the double murder: June 19
•Victims: Marwan Abu Shahin and Saada Saada
•All three are charged with murder under aggravated circumstances and carrying a weapon
•The State Attorney’s Office is requesting that they remain in custody until the conclusion of the proceedings

Who Are the Defendants?

The indictment was filed with the Nazareth–Nof HaGalil District Court against Said, son of Jada Maddah, 28; Ronen, son of Adam Araida, 19; and Ayman, son of Said Ibrahim, 43. All three are jointly charged with murder under aggravated circumstances and carrying a weapon. The State Attorney’s Office also requested that the defendants remain in custody until the conclusion of the proceedings.

Why the Case Was Considered a Legal Precedent

According to a report by the Walla website, for the first time the State Attorney’s Office classified a murder as having been committed against a witness in a criminal proceeding with the aim of preventing or obstructing a judicial proceeding. Abu Shahin was a key prosecution witness against ten defendants in an extortion case; one of them was Said Maddah’s brother. The State Attorney’s Office believes this classification reflects not only the taking of a human life, but also a direct attempt to prevent the justice system from reaching the truth.

The Prosecution’s Account of the Double Murder

According to the indictment, preparations continued for several days and included the use of rented cabins, aliases, two purchased vehicles, and a stolen license plate. On June 19, the defendants followed Abu Shahin’s vehicle, and at around 12:00 one member of the group fired approximately seven bullets from close range. Abu Shahin and Saada, who was near him, were killed at the scene; the investigator had come to see the contractor regarding a traffic accident and, according to the allegations, was not a target of the attack.

Additional Charge and the Evidence

Araida is separately accused of acts connected to a shooting inside a restaurant in Yarka on July 5: causing injury with aggravated intent, attempting to harm a police officer, obstructing the course of justice, and altering vehicle identification details. In its detention request, the State Attorney’s Office relies on camera footage, DNA evidence, fingerprints, phone location data, a seized handgun, and a confession allegedly made to an informant. These are the State Attorney’s Office’s allegations; the source did not state that a judgment had been issued in the case.

What this means for you

The case shows that the alleged murder of a witness with the aim of obstructing a criminal proceeding may receive a separate and particularly severe classification intended to protect both human life and the functioning of the justice system. However, filing an indictment does not establish guilt; the court must determine the final findings.

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Case analysis based on court rulings