The International Department of the State Attorney's Office filed a petition with the Jerusalem District Court to declare Haitim Taha, a US citizen, and extradite him to the United States for trial for murder, assault and other offenses. Taha was arrested yesterday by the Israel Police.
According to an extradition request filed by the US government more than a year ago in Anchorage, Alaska, a verbal confrontation broke out between Taha and his friend and acquaintance. A 17-year-old passerby was injured in the back of his neck and died a few days later at the hospital.
Taha, who fled the scene in his car, entered Israel on his American passport and has since been living in the country.