The Tel Aviv District Court on Thursday sentenced Ashraf Keisi, an Israeli Arab, to five life sentences plus 20 years in prison for his part in the deaths of five people in a 2005 suicide bombing in Tel Aviv at the Stage nightclub.
Keisi, the suicide bomber's driver, was convicted, among other things, of five counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, aiding an enemy during wartime, supporting a terror organization, and causing mental anguish, Haaretz reported.
The judges wrote in their ruling that "the defendant, a citizen and resident of Israel, joined with the most bitter of our enemies in order to carry out as many murders as possible," according to the Jerusalem Post.
The judges went on to say that Keisi never expressed regret "for taking an active and integral role in the despicable plots of those who seek to destroy us."
Judge Saviona Rothlevy, who stood at the head of the panel that heard the case, wrote in the verdict that she dismissed any claim by the defendant of ignorance of the planned suicide bombing. She also said she believed he harbored no feelings of remorse.
"I also reject the claim of the accused that he had regrets during the drive but could not act on them because of the suicide bomber's threats. We know from his mouth that he called an involved party the day after the attack in order to claim his money," the verdict continued.
Keisi helped the suicide bomber choose a location that would allow for the highest number of victims. He recommended Tel Aviv's beachfront promenade because it "would be more crowded there." He said Netanya would be too chilly for people to congregate outdoors, and he excluded Hadera as an option because it was his hometown.
Kasey received $5,000 for his role in the attack. He was supposed to receive another $14,000, but it was never paid to him.
Among those killed in the horrific attack were Yael Orbach, 28, of Rehovot, who was set to get married three weeks later, Yitzhak Buzaglo, 40, from Moshav Hayarden, and Aryeh Nagar, 37, from Kfar Saba, and Ronen Reuvenov, 28.
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