Court Approves Seizure of Funds in "Protection Money" Case

In an unprecedented civil action aimed at combating "protection rackets," the Southern District Prosecution (Civil Division) and the Civil Enforcement Unit have secured a court-approved settlement to confiscate 165,000 shekels. The funds were seized during an investigation into a company suspected of "protection money" collection, even without a criminal conviction.

The Central District Court in Be'er Sheva recently ratified a settlement agreement, granting it the force of a judicial ruling. Under this agreement, funds totaling 165,000 shekels, confiscated from a company, will be forfeited to the state. This civil measure complements criminal enforcement efforts against the "protection money" phenomenon.

Previously, the state, through the Civil Enforcement Unit and the Southern District Prosecution, had sought the confiscation of 330,000 shekels. This amount included 300,000 shekels found with the company and 30,000 shekels with an individual defendant. The settlement stipulated that half of the seized money, 165,000 shekels, would be confiscated, while the remaining half would be returned to the defendants.

Judge Guela Levin of the Central District Court in Be'er Sheva approved the settlement, validating the parties' agreement on the factual and legal basis for the confiscation. The Civil Division of the Prosecution stated that this action provides an additional pillar in the fight against "protection rackets," utilizing civil and economic tools to undermine the financial viability of such activities and associated funds.

This approach allows the state to expand its fight against the phenomenon into the economic sphere, particularly when criminal proceedings are not feasible. Separately, the Licensing Committee for Private Investigators and Security Services had previously decided to revoke the company's license and that of its security services organizer, a decision the company has appealed.