"Not fit to stand trial": Security guard who hit a fan in Petah Tikva released to house arrest

The court ordered today, Friday, the release of the security guard who was filmed hitting fans with an iron rod during the match between Hapoel Petah Tikva and Maccabi Netanya at the stadium in Petah Tikva earlier this week.

Police managed to arrest the suspect within a few hours and brought him to court for a remand hearing. However, his defense attorney appealed, claiming that the suspect suffers from a mental illness and was deemed unfit to stand trial in a separate case in 2022. This raises the question of how he was employed as a security guard despite his history.

The incident occurred during the halftime break, when a confrontation broke out in the stands between Hapoel Petah Tikva fans and security personnel. Footage from the scene shows ushers and security guards throwing chairs at fans, while some fans were seen attacking the security staff with punches.