Restaurant Chain Owner Sues Media Outlets for $770,000 Over Crime Family Links

Barak Abramov, owner of the Japnika restaurant chain and Beitar Jerusalem soccer club, has filed three defamation lawsuits totaling 3 million shekels (approximately $770,000) against Israel's Channel 12, the Kan 11 public broadcaster, and the Posta news site. The lawsuits stem from recent publications that allegedly linked Abramov and his businesses to the Jarushi crime family.

Abramov is seeking 1 million shekels from each defendant, along with published apologies, corrections, and denials. The lawsuits, filed in Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, follow warning letters sent in July after a series of reports suggested connections between Abramov, Japnika, and crime families. Abramov claims these reports lacked sufficient factual verification, were false and damaging, and harmed his reputation and business operations.

The core of the lawsuits revolves around reports suggesting that members of the Jarushi family acquired franchises or branches of Japnika, and that Abramov involved them in his businesses, leading to his entanglement in inter-gang conflicts. Abramov vehemently denies these claims, asserting that no Jarushi family member has any direct or indirect financial stake, partnership, or franchise in any Japnika branch.

Abramov argues that the publications falsely portrayed him as being at the center of criminal camps and involved in a "crime war." He contends this was not an isolated mistake but a recurring narrative across different programs and journalists within a short period. He states these baseless and false reports have significantly damaged his businesses and led to a decline in revenue, emphasizing that his operations are legitimate and he has no business ties with the Jarushi family.

The legal action comes amid a series of violent incidents targeting Japnika branches and investigations into conflicts between crime families. Abramov's lawsuit also references other violent events reported during the period, such as grenade and stun bomb attacks and attempted arson, noting that while victims of these incidents were not blamed, he was wrongly connected to the criminal underworld.

In a Channel 12 interview, Abramov dismissed the allegations, stating that if law enforcement suspected him, they should investigate or arrest him. He reiterated that his acquaintance with the Jarushi family is superficial and lacks any business component. After the media outlets did not issue the requested apologies within 24 hours, Abramov proceeded with the lawsuits.