Prosecutors refuse to delay trial for active reservist in minor case

“The prosecutor in the case is acting as if I were a murderer,” says reservist in special forces unit, charged with minor offense over a building code violation.

By World Israel News Staff

An active-duty reservist in the military is battling to have a hearing for a minor criminal case postponed after the prosecution has refused to delay his trial.

A, who was identified in Hebrew-language outlet Ynet only by his first initial, has been serving continuously in a special-forces unit for the last eight months.

The reservist, who lives in the Sharon region, told Ynet that he is currently being charged with unlawful use of a building, a minor offense under Israeli law.

Prosecutors allege that the reservist, who in his civilian life works in his family business growing and selling produce, illegally converted an old greenhouse into a warehouse for his agricultural products.

“It’s a minor offense, but the state decided to file an indictment,” A told Ynet.

“Due to my service, the hearings were postponed. We recently filed a request for another postponement because I’m still on active duty,” A said, but the request was denied.

“The prosecutor in the case is acting as if I were a murderer,” A continued.

“I’m not avoiding anything. When I finish my time in the reserves, I’ll happily come to court,” he said.

A told the outlet that over the last year, he has barely seen his wife or two young daughters, ages eight and four.

Additionally, his elderly father, who is now responsible for the business, has been struggling with his workload.

“It’s very frustrating that I’m serving the state, risking my life, my family is being harmed, my business is being harmed, and the state – excuse the expression – is screwing with my head,” A said.

In a statement to Ynet, the Netanya prosecutor’s office confirmed that it had refused to postpone the hearing again. However, they claimed, they had offered that the hearing be held only in the presence of A’s lawyer, without requiring him to attend.

The prosecution added that they are now demanding a letter from A’s unit that states he cannot be released from the reserves for one day to attend court.