Rabat – An alleged perpetrator behind the explosion at a Health Ministry office in Nazareth in November 2021 was apprehended in Morocco, according to the Israeli media.
Nassim Kalibat, the primary suspect in the case, was reportedly arrested in January and now awaits a decision on an extradition request filed by Israel, the Time of Israel reports.
Kalibat’s arrest in Morocco is believed to be linked to the Nazareth incident. His brother-in-law, Ja’afar Fakhoury, and brother, Ali Kalibat, were arrested in Israel in March 2022 for their alleged involvement as accomplices in the explosion.
The police and Shin Bet security service conducted a joint investigation leading to their apprehension.
The three individuals are suspected of planting an explosive device at the Health Ministry office in Nazareth and triggering it remotely, causing property damage but no injuries.
While security officials initially speculated that the incident might be related to threats against senior health officials due to their support for child vaccinations against COVID-19, the involvement of the Shin Bet indicated the possibility of a terror motive.
However, subsequent indictments filed against Kalibat’s relatives alleged that they had been hired by a criminal organization aiming to intimidate and discourage the Health Ministry from interfering in their food-related businesses.
In February, the Israeli Justice Ministry submitted an extradition request for Nassim Kalibat, which has reportedly received approval from a Moroccan judge.
However, the request is still pending final authorization by Morocco’s Justice Ministry.
Morocco and Israel restored diplomatic ties under the Abraham Accords in December 2020, but they currently do not have an extradition agreement in place. The extradition request marks the first of its kind since the diplomatic relationship was re-established.
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