Last update - 00:00 06/12/2007
Police step up security around judge whose house was burgled
By Haaretz Service
The Jerusalem police decided Thursday to step up the security around district court judge Hannah Ben Ami after her home was broken into during the night and several documents were stolen.
Earlier this week, Ben Ami convicted reputed crime boss Asi Abutbul and reputed kingpin of the Jerusalem underworld Eli Naim, also known as "the magician."
The judge and her husband woke up during the night between Wednesday and Thursday after hearing noises in their apartment. They combed the rooms of the house and noticed an unidentified person sitting in their car outside the house. The man fled upon realizing he was spotted.
Among the things that were taken were Ben Ami's briefcase and several personal items and documents.
Burglars also broke into the home of Ben Ami's relatives during the same night, and stole electronic devices and other personal items.
Ben Ami convicted Asi Abutbul of being an accessory to an illegal weapons deal this week. She also convicted Eli Naim of conspiring to commit a crime and of purchasing weapons and ammunition illegally. Eight other defendants in the case ? members of Abutbul and Naim's organizations ? were also convicted of arms dealing charges.
Prior to Abutbul's hearing, the defendant said "if I made the mistake, I will pay the price, but if she made the mistake, she will pay the price," referring to judge Ben Ami.
The police are investigating whether there is a connection between the convictions of Abutbul and Naim and the break-in.
Abutbul's attorney, Moshe Sherman, said that these allegations are slander and they have no basis in reality. "I think that everyone here lives in a fantasy land. Asi Abutbul was acquitted on all the counts the prosecutor tried to convict him of. Instead he was convicted of a minor crime, that wasn't even initially submitted. The prosecution asked for 21 years incarceration, but ended with a whimper. The crime of which he was committed is parallel to stealing a candy bar from the supermarket. What logic could be behind sending someone against her? There is no evidence against him, not even intelligence pertaining to the case. All these innuendos a few days before sentencing are embarrassing," he said.
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