IDF soldier who sabotaged UAV given light sentence in plea bargain

The commander who ordered him to remove a spark plug from the engine will not be treated leniently, according to the prosecution.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

One of three IDF soldiers caught last month after sabotaging UAVs has received a light sentence after a plea bargain was struck, Ynet reported Thursday.

The soldier removed a spark plug from the engine of a single unmanned aerial vehicle at the Palmachim air base on the orders of his shift commander, which caused the UAV to be taken out of service for an hour before a new plug was installed.

He was sentenced to 45 days in prison, 45 days of military labor (confinement), a fine of 1,000 shekels and a demotion to the rank of private.

This punishment is light enough that it “will not burden him in civilian life” with a serious criminal record, the report said.

At the time of his arrest, his attorney, Ran Cohen Rochberger, said that the man had simply obeyed his superior’s order and had “no negative motive” for his actions.

“[He] is an outstanding soldier who, during the war, devotedly handled hundreds of UAVs,” Rochberger said.

The lawyer applauded the “lenient conclusion of the case,” which was fully justified because it was in actuality “a minor offense.”

“The mountain gave birth to a mouse,” he said. “Now the soldier, who has been serving as a technician since the beginning of the war and has devotedly handled dozens of aircraft, will be able to return to complete his good service in the unit.”

The NCO who gave the order will not be treated as leniently, the report said.

The prosecution is attributing much more serious offenses to him and is seeking a heavy prison sentence as a result.

In his case, in addition to having ordered two men to remove spark plugs, he carried out other actions himself that impaired several drones.

The IDF called the incident “very serious” when the arrests were made, saying that the sabotage could have caused the vehicle to crash.

However, there was “no harm [done] to the operational capability of the UAV array” as a result of their actions, the army spokesman said.

The lawyer of one of the other two suspects hinted after first meeting with his client that untreated psychological distress may have played a large role in the man’s behavior.

“The investigation is in its initial stages,” said attorney Benjamin Malka, “and my client has been crying out for help for several weeks, but has been left without a proper response. Already at the first detention hearing, I brought the matter before the court, which ordered a [medical] examination.”