An Italian court on Thursday accepted the plea bargain of Shmuel Peleg, the grandfather of Eitan Biran, who was left orphaned in a tragic cable car accident last year, settling the case by sentencing him to a suspended 20-month prison sentence and a fine of 50,000 euros, which will be used to pay for his grandson’s educational and health expenses.

Peleg was accused of kidnapping his six-year-old grandson after a cable car crash in Italy last year killed his parents, little brother, and great-grandparents.

Following the tragedy, Eitan’s paternal aunt, who lives with her family in Italy, obtained custody of her nephew, and a bitter custody battle ensued between her and Eitan’s maternal relatives in Israel.

While the custody battle was being played out in court, Peleg smuggled his grandson back to Israel through Switzerland. The aunt turned to the police and Italy issued an international arrest warrant for Peleg and another Israeli man who drove Peleg and his grandson into Switzerland.

Back in Israel, the Supreme Court upheld lower court rulings over Eitan’s fate and ordered that he be returned to his aunt in Italy.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)