Tel Sheva Council Head Released from Custody Amid Corruption Probe

The head of the Tel Sheva local council, Omar Ze'el Al'ashem, who was suspected of bribery, bid rigging, fraud, and fictitious employment, has been released from custody after 10 days. The Magistrate's Court in Petah Tikva granted a request by investigators from Lahav 433 to delay his release, allowing them to file an appeal against the decision. Al'ashem's brother, who was arrested with him, was also released, while the council's treasurer remains in custody.

Al'ashem was detained for suspected offenses including bribery, bid rigging, fraud, and employing phantom workers. His lawyer, Maor Segev, stated that after reviewing the investigation materials, the bribery and election integrity charges had been dropped. The defense argued that the election integrity offense did not exist.

Investigators from the Lahav 433 unit, a national fraud and serious crimes unit, sought to keep Al'ashem in custody pending the appeal. The court's decision to delay the release was a procedural step to allow the prosecution to formally appeal the release order.