Detention of northern council head extended: "The suspicion has strengthened; huge sums for security that was not provided"

The Haifa Magistrate's Court extended by three days the detention of Ahad Rahal, head of the Al-Batuf Regional Council, suspected of extorting protection money from contractors in the north. The judge ruled that the suspicions have strengthened and that a company linked to him collected huge sums for security services that were not provided.

The Haifa Magistrate's Court extended by three days the detention of Ahad Rahal, head of the Al-Batuf Regional Council, suspected of involvement in a case of extorting protection money from contractors in the north. Judge Boris Sherman ruled that the suspicions against Rahal have strengthened since his initial detention extension, and that a company linked to him allegedly collected huge sums for security services it did not actually provide. Rahal, a former police officer decorated with the Chief of Staff's Citation, was arrested last Monday. The police attribute to him offenses of extortion by threats, collecting protection money, exploitation of distress, threats, fraud, obtaining something by deception, intentional damage to property, conspiracy to commit a crime, and money laundering. His defense attorney requested his release under the supervision of family members, but the judge denied the request in light of the suspicions and evidence that have emerged. More than 50 suspects have been arrested in the investigation.

Detention of northern council head extended: "The suspicion has strengthened; huge sums for security that was not provided"