Israel Completes Investigation into Death of Belarusian-Born Woman; Husband to Be Charged with Murder

Reform.news Editorial Team · 4 November 2026, 17:13

https://reform.news/en/israel-completes-investigation-into-death-of-belarusian-born-woman-husband-to-be-charged-with-murder/

Israeli police have completed their investigation into the murder of 30-year-old Belarusian-born Yanina Maswada (Rusinova), Walla reports.

Yanina was found with a serious neck wound in an apartment in Haifa on the night of September 25. Medical staff tried to resuscitate her, but she later died in hospital. Her 28-year-old husband, Ali Maswade, is suspected of killing her.

The couple’s two-month-old son was in an adjacent room at the time of the incident. After the incident, the infant was placed in the care of social services.

According to investigators, the alleged motive was the woman’s intention to separate from her husband and leave their shared home. From the outset, her husband denied involvement in her death. He claimed that Rusinova had inflicted the wounds on herself and that he had tried to stop the bleeding and save her. However, police say the evidence gathered contradicts this account. In particular, forensic examination results rule out the possibility that the woman inflicted the fatal injuries herself.

According to the investigation, Rusinova had planned to leave her husband and move to Belarus with their child. The suspect feared she would not return to Israel. Investigators also examined statements from the victim’s acquaintances and previous complaints about violence and threats allegedly made against her by her husband. They said the woman had feared her husband, who had threatened to harm her and take the child away.

A knife believed to have been used in the murder was found at the scene. Police also believe the man tried to destroy evidence and make the death appear to be a suicide. As part of the investigation, officers examined video recordings cited by the suspect’s relatives, who claimed that Rusinova had threatened to take her own life. According to police, these claims were not substantiated.

The murder charge is expected to be filed on Thursday at the Haifa District Court.

Israeli activist Lili Ben-Ami said on Facebook that Yanina’s mother would be able to obtain a recommendation from social services to care for her grandson.

“A ray of hope in these difficult days: the mother of the late Yanina Rusinova wants to thank everyone who has helped us. Social services intend to recommend her as the child’s guardian — her grandson. Yesterday, the police completed the murder investigation and handed the case file to the prosecutor. Ali Maswada is expected to be charged with murder shortly; after that, he will also lose the right to custody of the child,” she wrote.