Court Extends Detention of Suspect in Ashdod Extortion Case

The detention of Eyal Nagar has been extended for the tenth time, with the consent of his lawyers, who indicated that investigators may not have new leads. Nagar is suspected of involvement in an extortion and protection racket operating in Ashdod and Kiryat Gat, allegedly dividing territories between two criminal organizations. Investigators established a fictitious delivery company to lure members of the alleged crime groups, identifying Nagar as a covert partner in the "Mr. Delivery" company, from which he is believed to have profited.

During the court hearings, suspicions of money laundering and conspiracy to commit a crime were also raised against Nagar. The court noted that Nagar, along with dozens of other suspects, was arrested on suspicion of extortion and collecting protection money. The investigation reportedly includes a secret report and a plan from the investigating unit, with a senior state prosecutor approving the fourth extension of detention.

The court's decision stated that Nagar allegedly managed a delivery business with others in Ashdod, preventing other delivery companies from operating as part of a turf war in the city. The court found sufficient grounds to believe Nagar committed the offenses attributed to him and that further detention was warranted.