Accusation of Four Young Men from Tamra and Arab al-Haib for Extortion, Levying Protection Fees and Gunfire

SadaNews - The Public Prosecution has submitted an indictment to the Central Court in Haifa against four defendants from the towns of Tamra and Arab al-Haib (ages 32, 28, 23, and 22) following the conclusion of an investigation conducted by the police into a case of extortion and collecting protection money that involved incidents of gunfire, threatening messages, and significant damages.

According to a police statement, earlier today, a secret investigation was conducted over the last few months into a series of events that included gunfire and threats targeting several victims, including a businessman. As the investigation transitioned to public status in January, police forces, along with special units, raided several locations, apprehended the suspects, and seized over one million shekels in cash.

The investigation materials indicated that the group, which referred to itself as "Mountain Youth", worked to impose a levy on commercial interests. According to the allegations, when payment was refused, gunfire was directed at branches of one of the businesses, a grenade was thrown at a home, in addition to sending serious threatening messages to one of the victims.

The investigations also revealed that damages surpassing one million shekels were inflicted on a facility owned by a company after it terminated its contract with a private security firm.

Police indicated suspicion of the involvement of the security company’s manager, who was arrested along with the other accused. According to the allegations, the affected party was forced to renew the security contract and pay over 50,000 shekels over several months, despite not receiving actual services.

The Public Prosecution requested an extension of the suspects' detention until the completion of legal proceedings, while the police announced "the continuation of the fight against organized crime and the collection of protection fees by all available legal means."

The indictments in protection fee cases reflect the scale of the challenge posed by organized crime to economic and social security. When businesses turn into targets for threats and gunfire, investment and work become risky, and citizens’ trust in the rule of law is undermined.

Addressing this phenomenon requires strict enforcement of the law alongside effective protection for victims so that the business environment does not remain hostage to extortion. Security is not merely an individual demand; it is an essential condition for the stability and growth of society.