Hussein Murad, 24, was indicted in the Haifa District Court on Thursday, 22 Iyar, accused of attempting to kidnap an Israeli to use his prisoner as a negotiating pawn to compel Israel to release terrorists from prison.

Murad is a member of the Islamic Jihad terror organization. The suspect is also connected to at least two firebomb attacks against vehicles.

He entered Green Line Israel illegally and allegedly planned to abduct a citizen from Mitzpei Avtalyon. He tried to force his way into a home, armed with a knife, on April 17, 2014. One of the people there fired their pistol in the air, resulting in Murad fleeing. He was later apprehended by ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) agents.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)