Court extends detention of suspect in Jerusalem's Zol Begadol drugged baby food case

The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court extended the detention of a man suspected of placing sedatives in baby fruit puree jars until September 6. The suspect, a man in his 40s from southern Israel, was arrested following a breakthrough in the investigation into contaminated Prinok fruit puree sold at two Zol Begadol supermarket branches in Jerusalem. The Health Ministry confirmed in June that laboratory tests found clonazepam and lorazepam in several jars, leading to the hospitalization of at least three children. The suspect's attorney, Zecharia Shenkolevsky, stated his client has a mental-health condition and is in a complex psychological state, adding, “The investigation is in its early stages, and we expect it to be conducted while protecting his rights, certainly in light of his medical circumstances.” The investigation is ongoing, with five contaminated jars identified, all showing signs of tampering.