Assassination attempt in the heart of Ashdod solved: known criminal Matan Arviv and two others indicted
The Southern District Attorney's Office filed indictments against Matan Arviv (29), Avitar Zerach Yakobi (34), and Natai Lagami (22) for an assassination attempt in Ashdod. The three tracked the target using trackers, attached an explosive to his vehicle, but the device detached and exploded in the street, causing property damage and minor injuries. Arviv fled; the other two were arrested.
The Southern District Attorney's Office filed indictments with the Be'er Sheva District Court against Matan Arviv (29) from Hadera, Avitar Zerach Yakobi (34) from Rosh HaAyin, and Natai Lagami (22) from El'ad, for an assassination attempt in the heart of Ashdod. According to the indictment, against the backdrop of a criminal dispute, the three conspired to kill the complainant. They equipped themselves with trackers, motorcycles, and a powerful explosive device, installed the trackers on two of the target's vehicles, and tracked him in real time. On July 1, in the early morning, Lagami attached the explosive to the complainant's vehicle. In the afternoon, when another person was driving the vehicle, the defendants followed him. The explosive detached from the vehicle and detonated about 12 seconds later, creating a crater in the road, causing damage to nearby vehicles and ear injuries to residents. The defendants fled to Tirat Yehuda, where Lagami and Yakobi were arrested; Arviv escaped. The prosecution noted that the incident could have caused the driver's death, and only luck prevented injuries to bystanders. The commander of the Lachish District Police, Superintendent Shahar Levi, emphasized the severity of using explosives in populated areas. Arviv and Lagami are charged with attempted murder, carrying a weapon, obstruction of justice, and damage with an explosive; Yakobi is charged with aiding attempted murder, aiding in carrying a weapon, obstruction of justice, and interfering with a police officer.