Crime Boss Rico Shirazi Released After 14 Years, Seeks Quiet Life

Crime organization leader Rico Shirazi was released on Friday from Rimmonim Prison in the Sharon region after serving 14 years of his sentence. Shirazi, considered the head of one of Israel's most dangerous crime organizations, was convicted of aiding in a manslaughter case as part of "Case 512" and of money laundering offenses. He received a lengthy prison sentence and did not take any furloughs during his incarceration. Even after his son was murdered, Shirazi was only permitted to visit his son's grave under heavy security, due to fears of assassination attempts by rival criminals, and was not allowed to attend the funeral. Shirazi served his sentence without disciplinary infractions.

Following his release, police are preparing to prevent confrontations between crime groups in the area. Shirazi has told his associates that he has no intention of returning to the criminal underworld. "He has a partner and two years ago they had a child. He is finished with crime, he wants to live quietly with the new family he has established," his associates said.

It is currently unclear whether Shirazi will return to live in Netanya, another location in the Sharon area, or move to the north of the country. Law enforcement will monitor him in an effort to prevent any flare-ups between criminal organizations resulting from his release.