Murder Suspect's Medical Crisis Sparks Controversy in Israeli Prison
Linor Sasson, accused of aiding suspects in the murder of Benjamin Razi in Jerusalem, faces a medical controversy in Neve Tirza prison after discovering a suspected brain tumor.
The murder of Benjamin Razi in a Jerusalem apartment shook the country, leading to seven defendants being put on trial. Among them is Linor Sasson, the mother of one of the murder defendants, who is accused of helping the suspects flee the scene. Now, while detained in Neve Tirza prison, her complaints regarding her medical condition have sparked a new controversy.
Medical Complaints and Prison Controversy
During her detention, Sasson began complaining of vision impairment, headaches, and difficulty walking. These complaints persisted throughout September, but she was not immediately evacuated to an emergency room. According to published documents, Israel Prison Service (IPS) officials at one point suspected she was faking her symptoms. The IPS stated that she had been examined by doctors at the time and that no medical justification for an urgent evacuation was found.
The situation later changed when Sasson was referred to a hospital and hospitalized on September 22. During a court hearing, her defense attorney, Chen Meiri, stated that Sasson cannot see, struggles to stand, and requires assistance with daily activities. According to Meiri, a medical document received by the family revealed that a brain tumor was discovered and she is scheduled to undergo surgery. The IPS rejected claims regarding shortcomings in her medical care, stating she was transferred for hospitalization without delay as soon as a specialist doctor determined it was necessary.
"Her complex health condition justifies broader family visits," ruled Judge Ayalon Oren, allowing daily visits from her mother, daughter, and brother during her hospitalization.
Court Ruling on Family Visits
Simultaneously, Attorney Meiri filed an urgent petition regarding family visits during the hospitalization. While the police requested to restrict visits, Judge Ayalon Oren ruled that Sasson's complex health condition justified more extensive contact. Her mother, daughter, and brother will be permitted to visit her daily for half an hour. On the day of her surgery, visits will be extended to one hour before and one hour after the procedure. The court also authorized telephone calls and brief physical contact, subject to the discretion of the police officers on site.
The high-profile case stems from the late July killing of Razi in a Jerusalem apartment located in the Nachlaot neighborhood. According to indictments filed on August 7, an altercation in the apartment ended with a fatal knife attack and the wounding of a victim's friend. Sasson's trial for allegedly assisting the suspects after the fact remains ongoing.
