Animal Rights Bloggers Arrested for Extortion After Animal Abuse Video
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Israeli police arrested bloggers Michel Tronny and Denis Charkov on October 29 for allegedly extorting 20,000 shekels from a young man accused of animal cruelty. The bloggers are accused of threatening the man and his family after releasing a video of the abuse. Tronny and Charkov claim their actions were legal and that they cooperated with police, asserting external parties may be behind the complaints. They intend to continue their animal advocacy.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Bloggers Michel Tronny and Denis Charkov were arrested on October 29 for alleged extortion.
- They are accused of demanding 20,000 shekels from a man who abused a cat.
- The bloggers allegedly threatened the man and his family with public exposure.
- Tronny and Charkov claim their actions were legal and cooperated with police.
- The arrests followed the circulation of a video showing the cat's abuse.
Israeli police on Thursday, October 29, arrested prominent bloggers Michel Tronny and Denis Charkov, a week after a disturbing video surfaced online showing a young man repeatedly throwing a cat to the ground. The bloggers are suspected of extorting money from the young man, who is accused of animal cruelty, and his family by making threats. According to investigators, the bloggers released recordings of their conversations with the suspect's relatives, demanding payment for the incident. In one recording, Charkov told the suspect's parents they had until the end of the day to pay a 20,000 shekel fine to a charity of their choice, warning of consequences if they did not. Tronny added that their faces would become known and they would stage a "legal demonstration." In another video, Tronny stated he wanted to see the faces of the young man, his parents, his guardian, and his friends, demanding the 20,000 shekel fine or threatening to post billboards with the young man's face. Police launched an investigation after receiving complaints from several individuals, including a minor, who alleged the bloggers threatened them, extorted money, and released videos of these threats. Tronny and Charkov stated they voluntarily reported for questioning, fully cooperated with investigators, and explained their actions were legal. They were released after about an hour with no significant restrictions. The bloggers claimed external parties with personal motives, including revenge, might be behind the complaints. They asserted they operate within the law and will continue to protect animals using "innovative and unprecedented methods." The original video that sparked the arrests showed the young man grabbing a cat by the tail and violently throwing it to the ground multiple times, while friends encouraged him. The young man was previously arrested following the video's circulation.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
