The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court today (Tuesday) extended by six days the detention of a resident of the South, in his 40s, suspected of involvement in inserting anesthetics into fruit purees for babies from the 'Prinuk' company.
According to a report by Vered Pelman in Kan News, a representative of the investigative unit - the Crime Fighting Unit of the Zion Region in the Jerusalem District - said in the hearing: "We claim that the respondent was involved intentionally and relatively close to the poisoning incident.".
The judge ruled: "The investigative material establishes reasonable suspicion with significant force for the crimes of using poison to endanger life, negligent handling of medications, and theft.".
The judge continued: "The respondent is suspected of being involved in the intentional poisoning of food products for babies and toddlers. The danger is obvious. Dozens of investigative actions are also required, including disruptive actions.".
In addition, it was determined that the suspect would be examined by a psychiatrist at the detention center or the district psychiatrist, due to his lawyer's claim that he suffers from manic depression. However, an initial examination conducted on the suspect found that he was fit for detention.
The police said in a statement after the arrest yesterday that the investigation into the affair is continuing in parallel with the examination of the findings collected in order to trace the source of the anesthetics and how they were introduced into the products.
Suspicion of the involvement of additional people in the affair is being investigated.
Yesterday, it was reported that the direction of the investigation, according to which the background to the act was nationalistic, has been weakened, due to the suspect being Jewish.
The drama began two and a half months ago, after three infants from Haredi families in Jerusalem required hospitalization at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital due to severe weakness and symptoms of apathy.
Blood tests revealed that their bodies contained traces of benzodiazepines - chemical substances that act as anti-anxiety agents and are found in sedatives and anesthetics for adults, including Valium and Clonazepam.
The tests revealed that the toddlers had eaten various 'Prinuk' brand food animals, which were purchased at two different branches of the 'Zol Ve Gadol' chain in the capital. The babies were released from the hospital after a period of observation.
Additional tests performed on the animals came back normal.
