Prisoner Allegedly Runs Crime Syndicate From Jail, Police Say
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Hadi Masarawa, a senior member of Koteir Odeh's crime syndicate, has confessed to throwing a fragmentation grenade and is suspected of continuing to operate the organization under Odeh's direction from prison. The investigation was prompted by an attempted murder in Jaljulia.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Suspect confessed to throwing a grenade during an attempted murder.
- Police believe crime boss Koteir Odeh runs his organization from prison.
- Masarawa is accused of weapons offenses and links to Odeh's syndicate.
- Evidence was found linking Masarawa to the grenade and Odeh's home.
- The investigation continues into Odeh's alleged prison-based operations.
Israeli authorities suspect that a prominent crime boss, Koteir Odeh, continues to manage his organization from behind bars, despite strict measures by the Israel Prison Service (IPS) to prevent such communication. The suspicion arose following the arrest of Hadi Masarawa, described by police as a senior figure in Odeh's organization, who is accused of weapons offenses and confessed to throwing a fragmentation grenade. The grenade incident occurred on the eve of Rosh Hashanah in Jaljulia, during an attempted murder of a minor. Police forces, including the National Guard and sappers, conducted searches and apprehended suspects, eventually tracking down Masarawa. During the pursuit, Masarawa was observed placing an item outside the Odeh family home before entering the premises. This item was seized and analyzed. Forensic evidence reportedly linked Masarawa to the grenade and other weapons, as well as to the item left at the Odeh residence. Confronted with this evidence, Masarawa confessed to throwing the grenade and involvement in another incident. While Masarawa faces charges, the indictment does not directly link the grenade incident to Odeh's crime syndicate or suggest Odeh ordered the act. The broader concern among law enforcement is Odeh's continued influence and operational control over his organization from prison, based on intelligence assessments and investigation findings.