Last update - 00:00 11/02/2007
Would-be hitmen jailed over botched Abutbul assassination attempt
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent
A Netanyah Magistrate's Court on Sunday sentenced four men convicted of conspiring to assassinate crimelord Assi Abutbul on orders of the Abergil family to between 28 to 37 months in jail.
According to the prosecution, the four fired a Lau anti-tank missile at Abutbul's house in December 2005 and concealed another nearby intended for later use. They were not charged with the more serious crime of attempted murder due to lack of evidence.
Tapped phone conversations in which the defendants were heard planning the assassination was the prosecution's primary evidence in the trial.
Judge Ruth Lorech wrote in her verdict that the court was obliged to "enforce the law and protect the public."
Chief conspirator, Avner Harari, was sentenced to 37 months in jail; Abraham David to 31 months and Nir Dabach amd Amram Cohen to 28 months. All were also fined and given one year jail suspended jail sentences.
Lawyers on behalf of the defendants immediately announced their intention to appeal the decision.