Suspect in threats against Deputy President of the Magistrate's Courts in the North: Safed resident's remand extended for the second time

The Magistrate's Court in Akko extended today, Sunday, for the second time, until tomorrow, the remand of 41-year-old Avi (Avraham) Abukart from Safed. He was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of threatening Judge Dunia Nassar, Deputy President of the Magistrate's Courts in the Northern District and a former senior police officer. According to the suspicion, he did not settle for threats included in motions filed to the court, but added statements during a hearing held before her.

Due to the fact that the complainant is a judge serving in the Northern District, the President of the Supreme Court, Justice Isaac Amit, ordered the transfer of the proceedings from the Magistrate's Court in Nof HaGalil-Nazareth to the Magistrate's Court in Akko for reasons of "the appearance of justice."

Today at the hearing, police representative Sergeant Major Amal Badar claimed that Abukart "is crudely trampling on repeated court decisions and continues his threats." The police allege a series of threats regarding "consequences" were directed at the judge during June and late July through four different messages. Among the statements attributed to Abukart:

"You should order the return of the exhibits or you will find yourself in a serious problem" and "I will cause you insane discomfort."

It is also claimed that he called the judge "having poor judgment" and "stupid." The police claim there is an additional "explicit threat," the full content of which was presented to the court.

Abukart denied threatening the judge. "I did not make any threat," he told the court, claiming he was only trying to retrieve evidence needed for an appeal. Attorney Naji Amar, representing him via the Public Defender's Office, petitioned for his release, arguing that the statements were expressions of dissatisfaction with the legal process rather than high-level threats. He also questioned why the complaint was filed only now if the threats dated back to June.

However, Judge Jada Bassoul determined there is a reasonable suspicion against Abukart and justified continued detention to complete the investigation. She extended his detention for one day.

At the initial hearing on Friday, Judge Yasmin Katili noted that Abukart has a heavy criminal record, including offenses of threats and obstruction of justice. Subsequently, at the District Court in Nof HaGalil-Nazareth, Judge Hanna Sabbagh rejected Abukart's appeal, citing his dangerousness.