Spotted with a rifle and sent dozens of police into a frenzy: 'He was drugged, thought it was training equipment'
The Haifa Magistrate's Court extended by five days the detention of Arawa Abu Wasel, an 18-year-old resident of Ma'awiya, who was seen holding an M-16-like rifle near Kafr Qara. According to the suspicion, the young man occupied dozens of police officers in searches for him. His defense attorney claims he found the weapon by chance, was under the influence of drugs, and thought it was military equipment.
The Haifa Magistrate's Court yesterday (Saturday) extended by five days the detention of Arawa Abu Wasel, an 18-year-old resident of Ma'awiya, who was seen masked holding an M-16-like rifle in an orchard near Kafr Qara. According to the suspicion, the young man occupied dozens of police officers, including Border Police and special forces, in searches for him last Friday. Police said the background is criminal. After hours of searching, the young man was arrested when he returned home. His defense attorney, Adv. Nur Abu Wasel, argued that the young man has no criminal record, went to try a joint for the first time, was under the influence of drugs, found the weapon by chance in a grove near the Golani base, and thought it was training equipment due to the proximity to the base. Investigator Roy Masuri defined the version as a "disingenuous version" and claimed there is contradictory evidence. Judge Esther Tefta Gradi ruled that there is reasonable suspicion linking the young man to weapons offenses and ordered the extension of the detention.