Secret release in the dead of night and the new generation that fears a confrontation: the boss of the diamond city returns

Senior crime figure Rico Shirazi is expected to be released from prison at the end of the week after nearly a decade behind bars. Shirazi, considered one of the most prominent figures in the crime world of Netanya, was imprisoned after being convicted in a serious financial case involving tax offenses and money laundering. Prison Service sources described him as a different inmate, but warned that his conduct does not indicate a low risk level. The underworld fears his release due to open accounts and concerns of revenge for the murder of his son Shay.

Senior crime figure Rico Shirazi is expected to be released from prison at the end of the week after nearly a decade behind bars. Shirazi, considered for years one of the most prominent figures in the crime world of Netanya and central Israel, was imprisoned after being convicted in a serious financial case. In December 2015, the Tel Aviv District Court sentenced him to eight years in prison and a fine of one million shekels, among other things for tax offenses and money laundering in a case involving fictitious invoices and concealment of income worth tens of millions of shekels. The Prison Service described Shirazi as a different inmate, who is careful to respect staff members and does not tend to confront them. However, intelligence sources clarified that his conduct does not necessarily indicate a low risk level after release. The underworld assesses that his release may cause a shake-up in the local balance of power, due to open accounts with many people. The fear of revenge following the murder of his son Shay continues to accompany assessments, although these are only assessments and not information about a concrete action plan.