A 26-year-old resident of Baqa al-Gharbiyye was indicted Sunday on charges of extortion, threats, and witness intimidation after allegedly posing as a member of the Hariri family to threaten a renovation contractor, according to Channel 12. The suspect threatened to bring an 'army of 70' to the contractor's home. Police said they caught him red-handed when he arrived to collect the money.
New details emerged Sunday evening in the indictment of a 26-year-old Baqa al-Gharbiyye resident who allegedly posed as a member of the Hariri family to threaten a renovation contractor. According to Channel 12, the suspect threatened to bring an 'army of 70 people' to the contractor's home. Police said they caught the suspect red-handed when he arrived at a meeting to collect the money, which officers had provided as part of the operation.
The Zioneer first reported the indictment earlier Sunday at 16:32 Jerusalem, citing ynet. That initial report noted the indictment was part of a series of recent prosecutions for extortion and threats in Arab communities. The Channel 12 report added the specific threat and the police operation. The indictment includes charges of extortion by threats, witness intimidation, and harassment.
The case is part of a broader pattern of extortion prosecutions, as The Zioneer reported on July 5 regarding an indictment against Mahmoud bin Ghalib Khatib of Kfar Kana for threatening a businessman. The desk has covered multiple cases of extortion and threats in Arab communities in recent weeks.
It remains unclear how the suspect allegedly established the Hariri family connection or whether the contractor was aware of the family's identity. The investigation is ongoing.
3 developments
- DevelopingIndictment filed against Mahmoud bin Ghalib Khatib of Kfar Kana for extortion by threats
- DevelopingMan from Kfar Yona indicted for threatening, harassing sisters in inheritance dispute
- DevelopingState prosecution files indictment against three for protection racket in south Tel Aviv
- DevelopingHaifa man indicted for vandalism, threats, and extortion of charity CEO
Source and signal
- Internal intake