Protection racket, Molotov cocktails, and millions in damages: The suspicion rocking Be'er Sheva

A 19-year-old was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of setting fire to over seven vehicles in a Be'er Sheva lot using Molotov cocktails, amid a protection racket extortion scheme. The damage is estimated at millions of shekels. During the remand extension hearing, a dispute arose over the suspect's alibi, and the court extended his detention until Monday.

A 19-year-old was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport upon his return from abroad, suspected of setting fire to over seven vehicles in a Be'er Sheva lot using Molotov cocktails. The background to the act is extortion of protection money (protection racket). All the vehicles belong to one organization, but which organization has not been disclosed. The damage is estimated at millions of shekels. The suspect allegedly acted with additional accomplices, and another person was arrested during the past week. During the remand extension hearing, a dispute arose over the alibi provided by the suspect. The defense attorney argued that the suspect cooperated and requested a reduction in detention days to allow verification of the alibi. The police requested a 10-day extension due to concerns of obstructing the investigation. The judge extended the detention until Monday, ruling that there is a concern of obstruction and that no grounds were found for release to alternative detention.