Police announced on Tuesday that they had solved the murder of Yanis Yushayev, 41, of Or Akiva, who was shot dead last month at a gas station in Caesarea, with a prosecutor's declaration filed against the main suspect, 54-year-old Hazon resident Doron Weizman.
Weizman has a criminal record and has previously served prison sentences.
The investigation was opened on August 23 after police received a report of a man being shot at the gas station. Medical teams that arrived at the scene pronounced Yushayev dead.
Police suspect that several of Yushayev's enemies joined forces and devised a plan to kill him. Police arrested four suspects during the investigation, including a 23-year-old man from Hadera who is the son of Yushayev's most prominent rival.
The investigation found that the 23-year-old, who has ties to senior criminals, was in a vehicle used by the killers, and his DNA samples were found in the vehicle. Police, however, were unable to prove his direct involvement in planning the murder despite investigative tactics used during his questioning.
According to police, investigators from the Coastal District Central Unit conducted both covert and overt investigative activity, using technological, intelligence, and forensic means.
Several suspects were arrested during the investigation, but all were released except the man whom police suspect of having pulled the trigger, the 54-year-old Hazon resident. His detention has been extended periodically by the court.
Weizman has so far maintained his right to silence during questioning. The Central Unit has a working theory regarding the background and motive for the murder, but the fact that only Weizman is expected to be indicted means that whoever allegedly sent him remains free.
Those suspected of helping him prepare for the killing, escape, and go into hiding are also not facing charges.
Suspect's attorney waiting for indictment before responding
Attorney Yaron Shomron, who represents Weizman, told Walla that he would wait to see the indictment before responding.
On Tuesday, following the completion of the investigative measures, police announced that an evidentiary basis had been established against Weizman and that a prosecutor's declaration had been filed against him.
The Haifa District Attorney's Office, which accompanied the investigation, is expected to file an indictment against him in the coming days and request that he remain in custody until the end of legal proceedings.