Criminal Lawyer Alon Kriti Charged with Extortion and Released to House Arrest

Alon Kriti, a 52-year-old criminal defense attorney, has been charged with extortion by threats in a case recently investigated under a gag order. The Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion approved the publication of his name on Friday following a prosecution request. Kriti allegedly extorted a man who owed him money, demanding repayment through threatening messages and intimidation tactics.

According to the indictment filed by Central District Prosecutor Inbar Riger, Kriti had a prior personal and professional relationship with the complainant, whom he had represented legally. In 2025, Kriti lent the complainant approximately 50,000 shekels in cash, of which 30,000 shekels were repaid. Additionally, a relative and friend of Kriti lent the complainant another 20,000 shekels that remained unpaid. When the debts were not repaid, Kriti allegedly sent a series of threatening WhatsApp texts and voice messages, including warnings that "guys will be at your house within an hour."

The threats escalated beyond messages, with Kriti reportedly sending two men to the complainant's home to intimidate him while his nine-year-old son was present. The men knocked on the door but left when no one answered. Kriti continued to send threatening messages, prompting the complainant to file a police complaint that led to Kriti's arrest.

During interrogation, Kriti initially claimed he sent the men to check on the complainant's mental state, not to extort him. However, after being confronted with evidence and the complainant's testimony, he changed his story, admitting to issuing threats. The prosecution requested that Kriti remain in custody until the trial's conclusion, citing the severity and persistence of his conduct, including the involvement of third parties to intimidate the complainant.

Despite the prosecution's request, the court released Kriti to house arrest under electronic monitoring. The prosecution emphasized the case's gravity, noting Kriti's professional status as a criminal lawyer and the brazen nature of his actions.