Crime Boss Eyal Nagar's Detention Extended Over 30 Days

Israeli police have received approval to extend the detention of alleged crime boss Eyal Nagar beyond 30 days. Nagar is suspected of extorting hundreds of food delivery drivers in southern Israel. Authorities believe he was a secret partner in a delivery company and a key figure in a scheme to extort competitors in the delivery industry.

Nagar, described as the head of a crime organization from Ashdod, was arrested on August 11 in a Tel Aviv hotel. His arrest was part of a large-scale police operation in several southern cities that also led to the detention of dozens of other suspects. The operation, conducted by the Lahish District's Central Unit and the National Guard, targeted alleged involvement in protection rackets and other criminal offenses.

The investigation reportedly gathered evidence against numerous suspects, including prominent figures in the southern region. Nagar, who was previously the right-hand man to the murdered crime boss Beni Shlomo, is considered a significant figure in the southern crime world and is believed to have become the leader of a powerful organization in the Ashdod area in recent years. He was previously arrested about a year ago on suspicion of threatening a restaurant owner.

Nagar has been interrogated three times and is currently exercising his right to remain silent. His lawyer, Nes Bar Natan, stated that his client "completely denies all accusations against him." The court has periodically extended his detention since his arrest.