Activist says he was questioned by cops for photo in police uniform
Barak Cohen says photo was from guest appearance on Israeli TV series ‘Maneyek,’ rails at police for ‘investigating fictional characters’
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A lawyer and self-described anti-corruption activist said Monday that he was questioned by police over a photo of himself in a cop’s uniform that he shared on social media.
According to Barak Cohen, the photo was from a guest appearance as a policeman on the second season of the Israeli television series “Maneyek,” a police corruption drama.
He is pictured in photo alongside Roy Iddan, one of the show’s creators.
Cohen did not specify what he was questioned for. Police later said a complaint was filed against him last month for allegedly insulting a public official and subornation of perjury.
According to police, Cohen was questioned for an hour before being released.
“In the police force of the little pisher Omer Barlev, they’ve started investigating fictional characters from a television series,” Cohen said, referring to the public security minister.
“I can’t believe it,” Idan said.
עכשיו תחשבו שאני צוחק או בודה מלבי. הבוקר נחקרתי בגין ביצוע עבירה כי העליתי את התמונה הזאת לרשתות.
תמונה בה אני לבוש כשוטר במסגרת תפקיד אורח בסדרה מנאייכ 2.
במשטרה של עמר בר לב האפס המושתן, התחילו לחקור דמויות בדיוניות מסדרת טלוויזיה.@omerbarlev pic.twitter.com/CzoxZ39uyI
— Barak cohen – ברק כהן (@barak1cohen) March 7, 2022
Cohen, a left-wing lawyer who was suspended by the Israeli Bar Association in 2017 for harassing banking executives, is known for verbally abusing prominent public figures, including the sons of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the late Jewish-American casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, and other right-wing figures, such as former Likud minister Miri Regev.
In 2019, a court issued a restraining order barring Cohen from coming within 150 meters of Avner Netanyahu or contacting him in any way, after he uploaded a social media video showing him haranguing the ex-premier’s youngest son while the latter ate at a restaurant in Tel Aviv.
The Times of Israel Community.