First publication | "We will reach your children, your home and your employees": Defendant in protection racket released to house arrest
Despite warning signs and a negative probation report, the court gave decisive weight to the principle of equality with other defendants in the case.
The District Court in Nof HaGalil-Nazareth has ordered the transfer of Salim Husein, a defendant in a series of protection racket offenses in the north, to house arrest with electronic monitoring in Tiberias. According to the indictment, Husein was a central figure in a system that systematically collected millions of shekels in protection money from contractors and construction company owners.
He was described as the driving and dominant force behind the scheme, posing a high level of danger. Husein evaded authorities for over four months after learning he was wanted for questioning. Upon finally appearing at the police station, he destroyed his mobile phone, leading to further charges of obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence.
Case materials include a transcript of a severe threatening message sent to a victim:
"You will leave immediately... we will not let you work. We will reach your children, your home, your employees, and burn your property."
The probation service presented an assessment highlighting a significant risk of recidivism and did not recommend his release or transfer to electronic monitoring. Despite this, the court ruled that Husein could be transferred to house arrest in Tiberias, placing decisive weight on the principle of equality regarding other defendants in the case who had already been granted similar conditions.
