Remand extended for teen in US threats
Print Edition
A court yesterday extended the remand of an Israeli-American teenager accused of making dozens of anti-Semitic bomb threats in the United States that have stirred a political backlash.
The 18-year-old’s latest court appearance came as reports emerged that his bitcoin account was estimated to be worth millions of shekels (one million shekels equal US$275,000).
Israeli newspaper Haaretz said the finding raised suspicions that he was being paid in the virtual currency for the threats, though another report alleged he was believed to have sold forged documents online.
Police said the court in the city of Rishon Lezion extended the suspect’s remand until April 18, following his arrest on March 23 after an investigation that included the FBI.
His identity remained under a gag order, though authorities have confirmed he was arrested in the Israeli city of Ashkelon.
In recent days, his mother and father have given television interviews saying their son was ill and not motivated by hatred, adding that they were unaware of his alleged activities and apologizing.
His lawyer told the court last week that he has a brain tumor and suffers from autism.
His father had also been arrested as part of the investigation, but has since been released.
The arrests followed a wave of bomb threats to American Jewish institutions since the start of the year, which helped spread fears over whether hate crimes and anti-Semitic acts have been on the increase in the country.
Some have said that the rise of Donald Trump as US president has encouraged the extreme right and emboldened hate groups.
The teenager is also suspected of being behind similar threats in New Zealand and Australia.
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