Criminal8/14/2026

Prison Guard Suspected of Helping the Brother of a Murder Suspect

An Israel Prison Service officer is suspected of helping an inmate communicate with his brother, Avior Sasson, while police were searching for him. The prison guard admitted to having a romantic relationship with the inmate, but strongly denies giving him a phone or assisting in the escape.

Key facts

•Suspect: a 34-year-old Israel Prison Service officer
•Place of service: Hadarim Prison
•Main murder suspect: Avior Sasson, 17
•Suspicions: breach of trust and obstruction of investigative proceedings
•Measures taken: release under restrictive conditions and compulsory leave

Who Is Involved in the Case

The 34-year-old prison guard held a senior position in one of the wings at Hadarim Prison, where an inmate serving a sentence for extortion-related offenses is being held. He is the brother of 17-year-old Avior Sasson, the main suspect in the murder of Benayahu Razi in Jerusalem’s Nachlaot neighborhood.

What Are the Suspicions

According to the investigators’ account, the prison guard enabled Avior’s brother to communicate with him by phone during the search for him, which lasted several days. She is suspected of breach of trust and obstruction of investigative proceedings. She admitted that she knew the authorities were searching for Avior and that she spoke with the inmate about the murder and his brother’s situation, but claimed that she did not know where he was hiding.

The Relationship with the Inmate

During questioning, the prison guard said that she had fallen in love with the inmate, kissed him several times in her office, and considered leaving the Israel Prison Service for the relationship after his release. She also admitted to having contact outside the scope of her duties with his relatives, including the brothers’ mother, Linor Sasson, who is accused of assisting after the commission of the murder and obstructing justice.

What the Prison Service Decided

After questioning, the prison guard was released under restrictive conditions, and the Israel Prison Service placed her on compulsory leave. The investigation is ongoing; the source did not report that an indictment had been filed or that a final decision had been made in the case. Attorney Dror Shalom said that his client cooperated fully with the investigation and expressed confidence that the case would soon be closed.

What this means for you

The report describes an ongoing investigation, not a final judicial conviction. Personal relationships between prison system employees and inmates and their relatives may lead to internal proceedings and a criminal investigation, particularly when there is suspicion that messages were relayed or means of communication were made available to them.

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Case analysis based on court rulings