Israeli-American “Ashkelon hacker” extradited to U.S. on hate-crime and cyber charges

Michael Keidar, a 27-year-old Israeli-American known as the “hacker from Ashkelon,” was extradited to the United States, the U.S. Department of Justice said late Tuesday. Keidar had served seven years in prison in Israel and later sought refuge in Norway before being handed over to American authorities.

U.S. prosecutors say he faces trial for sending hoax threats to Jewish institutions about a decade ago. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison.

According to the indictment, Keidar will face hate-crime and interference-with-religious-freedom charges tied to Jewish institutions in Florida, including schools and community centers. He is also accused of making threats against the Israeli Embassy and the Anti-Defamation League offices in Washington.

In Georgia, he is expected to be charged with cyber offenses and with giving false information to police about a supposed hostage situation at a residence. Assistant Attorney General A. Tyson Dobbins of the Justice Department’s criminal division said the alleged crimes were “notable for their cruelty and the harm they caused to the Jewish community,” adding that using technology to terrorize houses of worship and community centers is an attack on religious freedom and public safety.