Underworld figure accused of running protection racket expected to be charged under new law

About a month after it was passed into law by the Knesset, new legislation is expected to be utilized to help prosecute a major crime figure suspected of running a protection racket in the north.

Rami Ismail, a resident of Tuba-Zangariyye, was arrested two weeks ago after threatening a construction site manager in the northern city of Kiryat Shmona that he must pay protection money if he does not want the building site — a hospital project — to be vandalized. The owner instead called the police, and Ismail was arrested near the city.

Prosecutors inform the Tiberias Magistrate’s Court today that they intend to charge Ismail with blackmail, threats and obstruction of justice. They also request that he be held in custody until the end of proceedings. His remand is extended through at least Sunday.

Prosecutors are said to be aiming to utilize legislation passed earlier this year which mandates a minimum three-year prison sentence for criminals convicted of protection rackets. The law also allows the court to seize funds it believes stemmed from such behavior even before a conviction has occurred.

According to Ynet, Ismail was convicted in 2019 of similar crimes but received just a few months behind bars.

Police say that Ismail is a a well-known crime figure in the area who has been threatening business owners for more than a decade. Upon his arrest — and once again today — police requested that other victims come forward, although they believe many are too afraid to speak out.