Israel asks Netherlands to extradite modeling agent accused of sexual assault

Israel on Monday submitted a formal request to the Netherlands for the extradition of an Israeli modeling agent against whom there are 26 complaints of rape and sexual misconduct.

Shai Avital was arrested by Dutch police in August at the request of Israeli authorities, more than a year after Israeli police issued a warrant for his arrest.

Authorities are seeking to place Avital on trial on two separate counts of sexual misconduct, the State Attorney’s Office said, though police have said they are investigating additional complaints.

The agent, who has represented some of Israel’s top models, holds EU citizenship, potentially creating extra legal hurdles for Israeli authorities seeking to extradite him.

“We did not receive any extradition request. We haven’t received any official document from the State of Israel — we learned about it from you,” Avital’s lawyers, Sassy Gez and Sharon Nahari, told Channel 12 news.

“The very fact that out of 26 complaints only two complaints have been brought in this extradition request speaks for itself,” they added.

Israel’s prosecution will be represented in the Amsterdam court by the Dutch Attorney’s Office; however, a date for the extradition hearing has not yet been set.

Police launched a criminal investigation into Avital in July 2021, amid media reports that said he had harassed or assaulted multiple former clients and colleagues.

The probe, which is being led by the Tel Aviv Police District’s investigative wing, was opened after Channel 13 news released evidence of Avital sending models threatening messages, including police complaints ready to be submitted, if they were to accuse him of sexual abuse.