Man indicted for aggravated murder of Kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta, calls him 'false messiah'

Prosecutors filed an indictment in Central District Court against Benjamin Yosef Haim Friedrich, 36, for the aggravated murder of 75-year-old Kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta. Friedrich allegedly stabbed Guetta four times with a knife taken from the yeshiva kitchen, after posing as a worshiper. He called the rabbi a 'false messiah' and made unusual statements during questioning. Evidence includes testimony, DNA, and security footage.

Prosecutors filed an indictment in Central District Court on Thursday against Benjamin Yosef Haim Friedrich, 36, on charges of murdering 75-year-old Kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta under aggravated circumstances. Friedrich was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm under aggravated circumstances and unlawfully possessing a knife. During the investigation, Friedrich admitted to killing Guetta and called him a 'false messiah.' The indictment details the alleged planning: Friedrich took a knife with a 21-centimeter blade from the yeshiva kitchen, concealed it, and arrived at the rabbi's home at 5:39 a.m. He claimed he wanted to pray beside Guetta. After the assistant Yaakov allowed him in, Friedrich stabbed Guetta, then continued the attack during a struggle with Yaakov, stabbing the rabbi three more times. Guetta was pronounced dead at 6:25 a.m. at Laniado Hospital. Friedrich was arrested at 8:29 a.m. after a manhunt. He made unusual statements, including that 'the angel Samael Iblis is inside his liver.' Evidence includes Yaakov's testimony, the knife with Guetta's DNA, security footage, and forensic opinions. The prosecution noted Guetta was helpless and dependent on nursing care, and that Friedrich had a criminal record and holds a French passport.