A decision to release the bus driver Fakhri Al-Khatib
The Israeli District Court ruled on Thursday to release Fakhri al-Khatib, a young bus driver from Jerusalem, related to the car-ramming incident on Tuesday evening that killed an Israeli settler during a Haredi protest against the mandatory military service law.
The Magistrate's Court extended al-Khatib's detention until mid-month on Wednesday. However, his defense attorney appealed to the District Court, which held a hearing today and decided to release him under house arrest.
However, the police asked for a stay on the release order to buy time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
During the hearing, the judge clarified that "the investigation is not politically motivated," while criticizing the driver for pressing on and driving the bus forward in what seemed like an attempt to escape, despite a crowd of protesters present.
Online video footage shows Al-Khatib trying to reverse after entering the street and facing the demonstration. Protesters then attacked him, insulting him, blocking the bus's way, and spitting on him.
Al-Khatib stated he did not see the boy at the front of the bus, clarifying that his actions were in self-defense amid the panic, not intentional.
The police announced on Tuesday evening that they had dropped the initial aggravated murder charge against Al-Khatib.
