Criminal9/28/2026

Suspect Accused of Throwing Salt Shakers at Bennett Moved to House Arrest

The Tel Aviv District Court ordered the release of Eliya Azard to house arrest. Azard is suspected of throwing salt shakers at former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The court rejected the police appeal, although it found that the reasonable suspicion had been significantly strengthened.

Key facts

•Suspect: Eliya Azard
•Court: Tel Aviv District Court
•Judge: Shmuel Melamed
•Decision date: September 28, 2026
•Alternative to detention: House arrest
•The case number is not stated in the source

What Happened

Eliya Azard is suspected of throwing salt shakers at former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The source does not provide further details about the circumstances of the incident or the potential legal classification of the act.

Dispute Over Detention Conditions

The Magistrate's Court had previously ordered Azard's release to house arrest. The police appealed the decision and asked that the suspect remain in custody, but the Tel Aviv District Court rejected the appeal.

The District Court's Conclusion

Judge Shmuel Melamed viewed documentation of the incident and concluded that the reasonable suspicion against Azard had been significantly strengthened. Nevertheless, the court did not alter the decision to move the suspect to house arrest. The source does not detail the exact conditions of the house arrest or the subsequent course of the investigation.

What this means for you

The decision indicates that stronger suspicion does not in itself necessarily lead to continued detention: the court separately determines the appropriate alternative to detention. House arrest means release from a detention facility with restrictions on freedom of movement, but it does not constitute a judgment regarding the suspect's guilt.

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Case analysis based on court rulings