Yonatan Heilo, who killed his rapist, released from prison

Hours after a parole board decided Monday to release Yonatan Heilo, who was convicted in 2013 of
the murderer
from his rapist Yaron Atalin, he was released from prison.

"It's a dream come true," Heilo said Monday on his release. "There were times when I thought this day would come, but most of all, there were times when I lost hope, I dreamed of starting a new life and celebrating my 30th birthday and my freedom."

Alon Eisenberg, welcomed the decision. "It is scary to think that if the state attorney's office
had won, Yonatan would have served a life sentence. Tonight, Yonathan is celebrating his 30th birthday, and I think there's no better gift than his freedom, "he said.

Heilo's Release from Prison (צילום: עידו ארז)

The state attorney's office did not oppose his release, and as a result he was immediately released.

Heilo was sentenced in 2013 to 20 years in prison after being convicted of the murder of Yaron Atalin in 2010.

During the trial, the judges determined that Heilo had reduced the responsibility for the murder after learning that Atalin raped Heilo twice

In 2016, the Supreme Court downgraded Heilo's conviction to an offense of manslaughter and reduced the sentence to 12 years in prison.

Heilo's Release from Prison (Photo: Shaul Golan)

In the 2016 award, the Supreme Court accepted the decision claim that Heilo feared the deceased and was paralyzed and frightened for his life as a long-term victim of the actions of Atalin. The judges also determined that the prisoner was suffering from mental distress because of serious and ongoing abuse.

Over the years, many calls have been made in favor of an early release from Mr. Heilo, and a group of activists has also taken over. In 2016, 65 MKs signed a pardon for Heilo, initiated by MK Yoel Hbadon of the Union Zionist.

Last November, President Reuven Rivlin decided
to commute Heilo's sentence and convert part of his sentence into a suspended sentence, so that he could appear before the Parole Board.

President Rivlin (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

At the Parole Board hearing, however, a professional opinion was presented to the court that Heilo had not taken part in a prisoner rehabilitation program.

The prosecution, who opposed his release at the time, said that as long as Heilo took part in a meaningful program, they would reconsider their position.

Heilo at the Supreme Court hearing in 2016 (Photo: Noam Moskovich)

Over the past seven months, Heilo has been participating in a rehabilitation program, currently undergoing treatment to reduce the level of risk he poses to the public, paving the way for his release.

This time, state attorney Shai Nitzan approved the decision not to oppose the release.