Indictment Filed Against Avior Zaken for Murder of Grandfather's Caregiver in Jerusalem

The State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment this morning with the Jerusalem District Court against Avior Zaken (31) for the intentional murder of Rajiv Acharya, an Indian citizen who served as the caregiver for Zaken's grandfather. According to the indictment, Zaken stabbed Acharya in the neck and chest during a visit to his grandparents' home, and later claimed the caregiver had committed suicide. The prosecution is requesting that Zaken be held until the end of proceedings.

The State Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment this morning (Friday) with the Jerusalem District Court against Avior Zaken (31), a resident of Jerusalem, for the intentional murder of Rajiv Acharya, an Indian citizen who served as the caregiver for Zaken's grandfather. The prosecution is requesting that he be remanded until the end of proceedings. According to the indictment, about three weeks ago, Zaken arrived at his grandparents' home in Jerusalem for lunch. After the meal, Acharya entered his room to rest, and shortly thereafter Zaken entered his room, and during a conversation between them, he decided to murder him. Zaken held a sharp, honed object and stabbed Acharya in the neck, chest, ear, and nose. The victim struggled and cried out, and Zaken falsely told his grandmother that the sounds were coming from the television. Acharya collapsed and died as a result of massive blood loss. Afterward, Zaken told his grandfather and grandmother that Acharya had committed suicide, moved the rug and the victim so that his blood would not stain the rug, changed his shirt, washed his hands, and left the house with the shirt and the object. Attorney Jenny Avni from the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office stated that the victim came to Israel to work as a caregiver and met his death through severe violence without a known motive, and that Zaken's cool-headed behavior illustrates the severity of the act.