An 86-year-old resident of Ashkelon who was detained by Israel Police on Sunday for attempting to kill his 85-year-old wife claimed that she had been stealing money from him that he had put aside in order to bring his granddaughter from Ukraine to Israel, KAN reported on Monday morning.
The suspect allegedly strangled his wife with a pillow until she lost consciousness. She is currently hospitalized and undergoing medical treatment. The police were notified by the suspect himself, who called them after she lost consciousness.
During his investigation, the man said that after he saw that the money had disappeared he experienced a "blackout," during which he attacked his wife. After waking up, the wife said that it wasn't the first time that he had accused her of stealing money but that he had never attacked her.
The man was brought before the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court later on Sunday. His lawyer claimed that he was demented and sick and that he had been saving the money in order to bring his granddaughter to Israel from Ukraine.
The court ruled to extend his custody by four days, KAN reported.
