"Extortion by threats": The viral video that led the mayor of Nahariya to the police

The mayor of Nahariya, Ronen Marley, together with the city CEO and the supervision manager, filed a police complaint against a resident named Debi, following a viral video he published during the holiday. The municipality claims the video included slander and defamation, and that it raises suspicion of an attempted extortion by threats. A legal proceeding between the parties had previously taken place.

The mayor of Nahariya, Ronen Marley, together with the city CEO and the supervision manager, filed an unusual police complaint against a city resident, Debi, following a viral video he published during the holiday. The municipality claims the video included "slander, defamation, and libelous statements," and that its content raises suspicion of an attempted extortion by threats against senior officials. The municipality noted that a legal proceeding had previously taken place between Debi and the mayor, at the end of which a verdict was given regarding previous publications, and Debi apologized and admitted that the publications were untrue. During the filing of the complaint, the complainants requested to be updated by the police if it is decided that Debi is unfit to stand trial. The municipality stated that it will not succumb to pressure attempts, and that it intends to also consider a civil lawsuit and a criminal complaint for defamation.