Man indicted for aggravated murder of Kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta, calls him 'false messiah'

Benjamin Yosef Haim Friedrich, 36, has been indicted for the aggravated murder of 75-year-old Kabbalist Rabbi Amos Guetta, according to reports from Central District Court. The indictment also includes charges of causing grievous bodily harm and unlawfully possessing a knife.

Investigators from the Israel Police Sharon District Central Unit revealed that Friedrich admitted to the killing, stating that the rabbi was a "false messiah." The indictment details Friedrich's alleged plan, including taking a 21-centimeter knife from the yeshiva kitchen and concealing it.

Friedrich reportedly arrived at the rabbi's home early in the morning and asked to pray beside Guetta. After initially being refused by Guetta's assistant, Yaakov, Friedrich was allowed in. He allegedly stood by the rabbi's bed, muttered a prayer, and then stabbed Guetta.

When Yaakov attempted to intervene, a struggle ensued, during which Friedrich allegedly stabbed Guetta three more times. Yaakov sustained a hand wound while trying to restrain the suspect. Friedrich fled the scene, leaving Guetta critically wounded. Guetta was later pronounced dead at Laniado Hospital due to the stab wounds.

Friedrich was apprehended hours later. During interrogations, he made cryptic statements, including claiming an "angel Samael Iblis" was inside him, and communicated through gestures and pointing to letters when initially refusing to speak.