Kfar Saba Mayor and Wife Arrest Extended for Eight Days

A Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court on Monday extended the arrest of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and his wife, Meital Sa'ar, for eight days. The couple was arrested earlier in the day along with the CEO of an economic company and 21 other suspects on suspicion of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and tax offenses. Police had requested a nine-day extension.

In his ruling, Judge Yoval Kedar noted that the central allegation concerns the actions of the female suspect, with the male suspect aware of the funds received by her and acting according to her demands, with concrete knowledge that her actions were part of a collaboration with others to obtain the money. The mayor's attorney, Micha Patman, stated that his client's wife acted independently and without his knowledge, asserting that items seized belonged to her, not the mayor. He added that the mayor maintains his innocence, is cooperating with the investigation, and has nothing to hide.

During the hearing, a police representative presented the main suspicions, alleging that the mayor "exploited his position to advance his personal interests and those of his wife." According to the police, the mayor's wife served as a central figure, leveraging her status to promote interests and receive bribe money, facilitating decision-making processes in exchange for substantial sums. The police described the case as serious, involving numerous incidents and criminal elements.

The court found probable cause that the female suspect committed the alleged offenses, noting that extensive investigation using a wide range of methods has yielded significant data, establishing a high level of suspicion. The material also indicates the suspect's deep involvement in the Kfar Saba municipality and her receipt of funds through various means, alongside substantial indications that her actions were clearly criminal. The police further highlighted recent attempts by those involved to obstruct the investigation.