Tel Aviv protection racket indictment details alleged extortion network

Israeli prosecutors on Sunday filed an indictment and detention request at the Tel Aviv District Court against Muhammad Daka, 38, of Tel Aviv, Ibrahim Al-Sayed, 43, of the Bedouin locality of Al-Sayyid, and Qaid Daka, 36, of Tel Aviv. The prosecution says the three ran an extortion and protection operation in Pardes Daka and at other construction sites between 2023 and 2026, forcing contractors and workers to buy overpriced guarding, earthmoving and related services.

According to the Economic Department of the State Prosecutor’s Office, led by attorneys Michal Mizrahi and Itamar Iluz, Muhammad Daka and Al-Sayed exploited territorial control in the area to intimidate construction firms, subcontractors and laborers. The indictment says companies including Geo, Danya and Forma paid a total of 7,079,771 shekels. Evidence cited in the detention request includes testimony that access roads to sites were blocked, electrical systems were disrupted, contractors were driven away, and property was damaged until crews left and did not return.

The case centers heavily on intercepted messages and calls. Prosecutors say Qaid Daka demanded that workers be replaced with his own people and warned staff, “I am the owner of the area.” On the night of September 28 to 29, 2025, Muhammad Daka and Al-Sayed allegedly came to a Ken HaTor site, summoned teenagers on scooters and bicycles, and told workers to stop and leave, saying “there will be something bad.” Workers later refused to return without security. In chats with a Tadiran security manager, Muhammad Daka allegedly wrote, “You are playing with me,” “after you need real security maybe you will understand me,” and “I am not threatening, but chaos happens to everyone who is not at home.”

In another recorded conversation, Muhammad Daka allegedly boasted to a truck driver, “I am the state, I am the Health Ministry, I am the Transport Ministry, I am God’s ministry.” Al-Sayed was also quoted threatening violence, including saying he would shoot a man at a site and “beat him in the office until he swims in his blood.” Prosecutors also accuse Al-Sayed of money laundering and tax offenses, saying he used relatives’ accounts while in heavy debt and bankruptcy, with about 2 million shekels in liabilities. He acknowledged not opening a tax file or filing reports, but denied the extortion allegations. Muhammad Daka denies the charges, while Qaid Daka denies everything. The prosecution also seeks forfeiture of equipment, vehicles and bank accounts, and wants all three held until the end of proceedings.