Criminal9/8/2026

11.5 Years in Prison for Aiding the Murder of a Cousin

The Haifa District Court sentenced Fares Asala, 23, of Arraba, to 11.5 years in prison for aiding the murder of his cousin, Saleh Asala. He was initially charged with murder under aggravated circumstances and weapons offenses, but the indictment was reduced as part of a plea agreement due to evidentiary difficulties.

Key facts

•Court: Haifa District Court
•Offense: October 17, 2024
•Sentence: 11.5 years in prison
•In detention: Since November 4, 2024
•Legal classification: Aiding murder under aggravated circumstances
•The case number is not stated in the source

Murder in a Residential Area

According to the amended indictment, the offense occurred on October 17, 2024, in Arraba, following a dispute between the defendant, other individuals involved, and the deceased. Asala participated in the search for Saleh, who had come to the city for a wedding, and waited in a vehicle near an olive grove. Two shooters whose faces were concealed fired at least 38 bullets at Saleh, then returned to the vehicle and fled together with the defendant. The shooting took place in a residential area where vehicles were traveling and children were playing.

Why the Indictment Was Amended

The prosecution initially alleged that Fares Asala was one of the shooters and acted as a joint perpetrator. Under the agreement, the weapons offenses were removed from the indictment, and Asala was convicted only of aiding intentional murder under aggravated circumstances. According to the amended version, he assisted in preparing for the offense, searching for the deceased, transporting the shooters to the area of the incident, waiting for them, and helping them escape. The prosecution stated that it had no evidence that Asala himself drove the vehicle.

The Agreement and the Parties’ Positions

The agreement was signed before the first prosecution witness was examined: the prosecution cited evidentiary difficulties, the admission of guilt, and the acceptance of responsibility. The deceased’s family agreed to the arrangement, in part to avoid prolonged proceedings, but the parties did not reach an agreement on the sentence. The prosecution sought a sentencing range of 12 to 16 years and requested a 14-year prison term, while the defense requested six years, taking into account that the defendant has been in detention since November 4, 2024.

The Court’s Decision

The panel, headed by Judge Inas Salameh and also comprising Judges Netanel Benisho and Shlomo Benjo, imposed a sentence of 11.5 years in prison. A one-year suspended prison sentence from a previous case was activated concurrently with the new sentence and was not added to it. The source does not state the amount of compensation awarded to the deceased’s family. The identities of the two shooters were not established, and no indictments were filed against them.

What this means for you

The case shows that a person who participates in preparations, the search for the victim, and the escape after the murder may be sent to prison for a lengthy period, even if it is not established that he was the shooter. At the same time, a plea agreement may materially change the factual and legal basis of the charge when evidentiary difficulties exist. A suspended prison sentence from a previous case may be activated concurrently with the new sentence if this is stipulated in the agreement and the court’s decision.

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Case analysis based on court rulings