Following a complex joint investigation by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Shin Bet, an indictment was filed today (Monday) against a 17-year-old Arab boy, a resident of Lod, for the murder of the couple Olga and Ruslan Prikhodko near the settlement of Mishmar Ayalon.
In addition, indictments were filed against two residents of the territories for shooting offenses and illegal entry into Israel.
On May 22nd, the couple Olga and Ruslan Prikhodko were found lifeless in their vehicle near the Ayalon checkpoint. Upon receiving the report, numerous police forces arrived at the scene and an investigation was opened.
The commander of the Central District, Superintendent Amir Cohen, assigned the investigation to the Central District Commander and instructed them to work fully with the Shin Bet to uncover the shocking murder.
From the beginning of the investigation, Central Intelligence Agency investigators, together with the General Security Service, conducted an intensive and complex investigation, in which all possible directions of investigation were examined, including criminal and nationalist motives.
As part of the investigation, numerous intelligence, investigative, and technological operations were carried out, which led to the disclosure of the identity of the murderer, a young man from the center, and other people involved.
The YAM fighters operated in Judea and Samaria under the direction of the Shin Bet and YAM, and arrested a number of suspects involved in the incident.
The findings of the investigation revealed that the murder suspect and the victims had a prior acquaintance, a fact that was a significant element in denying the nationalist aspect and strengthening the suspicion that the background was a criminal incident.
It also emerged during the investigation that after committing the murder, the suspect acted to conceal his involvement, and among other things, attempted to use the victims' credit cards, worked to hide the weapon that was suspected of being used to commit the murder, and took additional actions with the aim of disrupting the investigation.
Investigators were able to locate the weapon used to commit the murder.
As part of a nightly reconstruction, the suspect indicated his route of movement and the stages of committing the crimes.
The investigation also revealed that two Palestinians, who will be indicted for shooting offenses and illegally entering Israel, had access to the weapon used in the murder.
Following an assessment of the situation by the Central District Commander, Superintendent Amir Cohen, with the participation of Shin Bet officials and investigative officials, and in accordance with the findings collected throughout the investigation, the nationalist suspicion was ruled out and the suspicion that the background to the criminal incident was strengthened.
The district commander summed up the decision: "Although we have not established a nationalist suspicion, I am very disturbed by such infiltration into criminal events.".
The indictment filed by Attorney Shahaf Kleinman Shimoni of the Central District Attorney's Office indicates that about six months before the incident, the minor purchased a loaded Glock pistol for 25,000 shekels, stored it on his family's farm where he lived, and on several occasions, experimented with shooting the pistol.
The late Ruslan, who was engaged in searching for antiquities as a hobby, came to the forest near the Verde Spring to search for antiquities using metal detectors. He met the boy there and the two talked about the antiquities.
The next morning, Ruslan arrived in the forest with his wife Olga and they met the boy. An argument broke out between Ruslan and the Arab boy over the antiquities and the boy's demand to be given the metal detectors.
Following the argument, the minor decided to cause the couple's death. He drove away on a tractor, took the gun from the farm, and returned to the forest. At that time, the couple were already in their vehicle and were planning to leave. The defendant approached within two meters of the open window near where the late Ruslan was sitting, pulled out his gun, and fired one bullet into his head. Immediately afterward, he fired one bullet into the head of Olga. While they were covered in blood, the minor stole two metal detectors, phones, and credit cards from the vehicle and left the scene. He threw the phone and bag near the vehicle.
The couple were later located by hikers and pronounced dead at the scene.
After fleeing, the minor hid the gun and the cartridge in a hiding place at his residence.
In order to obscure his identity as the perpetrator of the murder and make it more difficult to decipher his actions, he called his friend, a resident of Judea and Samaria, and asked for assistance in transporting the vehicle to Judea and Samaria, which ultimately did not materialize.
The indictment charges the minor with two offenses of intentional murder under aggravated circumstances, multiple offenses of carrying weapons and ammunition, shooting with a firearm, robbery, obstruction of justice, and other offenses.
The prosecution is asking the court to order the minor's arrest until the end of the legal proceedings against him.
In addition, the Attorney General's Office filed an indictment with the Central District Court against two Shevahim for illegally entering and staying in Israel, carrying weapons, and one of them is also charged with the offense of firing a firearm.
The case was investigated by the General Security Service and the Central Command of the Israel Police.
Central District Commander, Superintendent Amir Cohen, said in presenting the investigation's findings: "This is a vile murderer and a shocking murder. The murderer believed he would be able to hide behind lies, conceal evidence, carry out manipulations and disrupt the investigation. Central District Commander and Shin Bet investigators acted with determination and professionalism, and expertly revealed the truth step by step.".
""This is a significant deciphering that sends a clear message to every criminal: There is no place to hide from the Israel Police. I salute the Central District police officers and the investigators of the Yamr and Shin Bet who worked day and night with a sense of commitment, mission and creativity until the motives, the manner of the murder were revealed and deciphered, and are working to bring security to society and close the circle for the victims' families.""
