Full Breakdown
Jerusalem Court Limits Murder Charges Against Two Women in Benayahu Razi Killing
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On August 7, 2026, the Jerusalem District Court concluded that there is not enough evidence to sustain a murder charge against Agam Tsarafi and Shilat Huta for the stabbing death of 19-year-old Benayahu Razi in July 2026. The court, however, found sufficient preliminary evidence to support a charge of aiding and abetting murder and referred both defendants to the Probation Service for assessment of possible release under restrictive conditions pending trial.
Background & Context
Tsarafi and Huta were indicted in August 2026 together with four minors. Prosecutors allege that the women told the minors that Razi had been violent toward them, prompting the youths to arm themselves with knives and other weapons before returning to the apartment where Razi and a friend were attacked. The indictment claims the six participants acted in concert to kill Razi.
Official Statements & Responses
Public defenders Roi Politi and Omri Stern, representing Tsarafi, argued that she was not part of the murder plan and did not wish Razi’s death. They also highlighted that Tsarafi has endured “harsh and humiliating treatment” by the Israel Prison Service (IPS) since her arrest and urged the court to release her under restrictive conditions while ensuring fair treatment in custody. In September 2026, the Public Defender’s Office petitioned the Tel Aviv District Court to limit the IPS’s release of custody footage, contending that further publication would humiliate Tsarafi and jeopardize her right to a fair trial.
Data & Statistics
- Victim: Benayahu Razi, 19 years old.
- Defendants: Agam Tsarafi and Shilat Huta (adults) plus four minors.
- Charges: Murder charge dismissed; aiding and abetting murder charge retained.
- Court action: Referral to Probation Service for possible conditional release.
Why It Matters
The court’s decision narrows the legal exposure of the two women while keeping them under investigation for participation in the homicide. The public defenders’ focus on detention conditions and media exposure underscores ongoing concerns about prisoners’ rights and the balance between transparency and fair trial guarantees in high-profile Israeli criminal cases.
