Unusual attempt by Ashdod resident to avoid prison ends in failure

Yuri Komar, a resident of Ashdod wanted for sex crimes, tried to leave Israel by swimming from Eilat to Jordan. Jordanian soldiers detained him and handed him over to Israeli police. The court extended his remand. He is charged with illegal border crossing and violating a court order.

Yuri Komar, 44, from Ashdod, wanted for sex crimes, attempted to flee Israel by swimming from Eilat to Jordan. He had been missing for two weeks, with police and relatives searching for him. Due to a court ban on leaving through official crossings, he chose an extreme method to bypass the system. Jordanian soldiers spotted and detained him, then transferred him to Israeli police. Upon arrest, he was found with several thousand dollars and euros in cash. In court, the investigator pushed for extended detention, citing the escape attempt. Komar denied the charges, but the judge extended his remand. He is charged with illegal border crossing and willful violation of a court order.