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Kfar Saba Mayor, Wife Detained for Eight More Days Amid Bribery Probe
On Monday, October 12, 2026, the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court extended the detention of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and his wife, Meital Sa'ar, by eight days. The couple was arrested earlier that morning as part of a major public corruption investigation led by the Lahav 433 fraud unit, which had been conducted in secret for over a year.
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What happened
- 01The Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court extended the detention of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and his wife, Meital, by eight days on Monday.
- 02The couple was arrested following a secret, year-long investigation by the Lahav 433 fraud unit into public corruption.
- 03Suspects are accused of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and tax offenses related to rigging municipal tenders.
- 04The police operation led to the arrest of 17 people, including Municipal Economic Company General Director Sagi Hen.
- 05Police searched the mayor's home on Monday morning and seized luxury items, including designer bags, watches, and jewelry.
- 06The court ruled that the suspicion against the suspects is of high intensity and supported by extensive evidence.
- 07Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and his wife deny all the corruption allegations against them.
The mayor and his wife are suspected of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and tax offenses. Police allege that the mayor exploited his position to advance personal and spousal interests, while his wife played a central role in receiving significant cash bribes to influence municipal decision-making. Investigators believe they rigged lucrative municipal tenders to ensure specific businesses won.
The police operation resulted in the arrest of 17 people, including Sagi Hen, the General Director of the Municipal Economic Company, alongside other municipal officials, businessmen, and individuals linked to criminal organizations. Haaretz reported that a total of 21 others were arrested, while police also brought in seven additional people for questioning.
During a search of the couple's home on Monday morning, police documented and seized luxury items, including designer bags, watches, and jewelry. The court ruled that there is a highly intense, reasonable suspicion against the suspects based on extensive evidence, and noted recent attempts by suspects to obstruct the investigation. The mayor and his wife deny all allegations against them.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 4 newsrooms. Updated
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