Suspect Eyal Negar's Arrest Extended for Tenth Time Ahead of Indictment

The arrest of Eyal Negar, suspected of extortion and protection racket demands, was extended for the tenth time this week following a court hearing. The police have filed a statement of claim against Negar, indicating their intention to indict him. The Magistrate Court in Ashkelon, Judge Oshrit Chana-Bar presiding, ruled to extend his detention after reviewing all investigation materials, including a secret report and an approval for a fourth arrest extension from the Deputy State Attorney. The judge stated that the evidence suggests Negar committed the alleged offenses.

According to the investigation, Negar, along with others, allegedly operated a delivery business in Ashdod that stifled competition from other delivery companies in the city as part of a turf war. The police established a fictitious delivery company, "Mr. Delivery," to lure members of the alleged crime organization into operating against them. Negar is believed to have been a silent partner in this company and profited from it. During previous detention extension hearings, the court also raised suspicions of money laundering and conspiracy to commit a crime against him.

Negar was arrested along with dozens of other suspects in connection with "Relay Race," a months-long investigation into alleged extortion and protection rackets. The investigation suggests a division of delivery territories in Ashdod and Kiryat Gat between two organizations identified as criminal enterprises. Negar's wife, Ofir, was also arrested and held for several weeks before being released to house arrest, partly due to the couple having young children. With the filing of the statement of claim, police are expected to request Negar's continued detention until the legal proceedings are concluded.