A Jerusalem court on Thursday released to four days of house arrest the driver who was filmed pointing a handgun at Chareidi protesters during Wednesday’s vehicle protest on Highway 1.

During questioning, the suspect admitted pointing the firearm toward the protesters but claimed it remained inside its holster and was never cocked or fired.

Police argued the suspect posed a clear danger, telling the court that pointing a gun at demonstrators was “dangerous, to say the least.” They noted, however, that he has no prior criminal record and that the weapon has already been confiscated.

The judge ruled there is reasonable suspicion that the suspect committed the offense and acknowledged that threatening people with a firearm “creates significant danger.” Nevertheless, he ordered the suspect released to house arrest until June 29.

In his ruling, the judge also commented that the highway blockade itself “created a serious hazard” and occurred in a situation where “law enforcement was not providing an adequate response,” while stressing that this did not lessen the seriousness of allegedly pointing a firearm at protesters.

The suspect is also barred from contacting anyone involved in the case while the investigation continues.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)