The cost of the expansive search that was conducted for hours amid reports of the feared abduction of Beersheva resident Niv Asraf will be charged to him. Niv, and his accomplice, a member of the Beersheva Bedouin community, remain in jail at present. A court extended their remand for an addition four days as the police probe continues.

Justice Chen Avital, who extended their remand, wrote in his decision “Their act was most irresponsible reality in our lives, especially after the not-to-distant past of the youths abducted and murdered in the nearby area of where this event occurred”.

Asraf’s dad told the press, “I want to apologize in the name of my son and the entire family. We also apologize to the thousands of soldiers and security forces involved in the search for Niv. We are still in the dark as to what prompted his actions”.

Speaking to Channel 10 News, Mr. Shmuel Asraf added “This is not my son”, seemingly puzzled as to what prompted him to fake his own kidnapping.

Asraf’s mom added “G-d I am so happy it ended in a good way. My smile and my life have returned”.

Asraf’s attorney told reporters that at the end, people will be surprised. The lawyer for the Bedouin man added that his client was simply trying to assist a friend, nothing more, seemingly trying to distance him from being responsible for the act that led to the search.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)