"Attempted to poison intentionally": Court makes decision in "Prinok" case

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended on Tuesday by six days the detention of a southern resident in his 40s, suspected of introducing sedatives into baby fruit purees of the Prinok brand. The detention was extended after the police claimed during the hearing that the poisoning was carried out intentionally.

The decision to extend the suspect's detention was made this morning after police representatives presented the findings of the covert investigation to the judge. During the hearing, investigators claimed that the southern resident is "involved in the poisoning intentionally." The court judge, who examined the materials, noted that there is indeed a reasonable suspicion linking the man to the act. Now, the police continue to investigate and check if other people were involved in the incident.

This development comes about two months after the affair was exposed. Last June, the Ministry of Health opened a comprehensive investigation following the hospitalization of four toddlers, two pairs of siblings, at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. The children were brought to the emergency room suffering from extreme drowsiness, apathy, and weakness. A medical inquiry revealed that they had consumed Prinok fruit purees, which were purchased as individual units at branches of the Zol Ve-Gadol chain.

The medical staff who treated the children in the emergency department identified a similarity to a previous case from May, in which another child was brought to the hospital with identical symptoms. The results of the blood and urine tests of all those involved showed that benzodiazepine-type sedatives were found in their bodies. These substances are usually found in prescription drugs and strong sleeping pills.

The findings were immediately transferred to law enforcement authorities and led to the opening of the investigation. The children themselves were released to their homes alert and in good condition. The police, who recorded a breakthrough in the case in recent days, are now conducting additional operations to determine the motive behind the introduction of the dangerous substances.