The key witness in the trial of cousins Avi and Francoise Abutbul, Assi Ben David, was sent to jail for 18 days after the court found him in contempt for refusing to testify.

The Abutbul cousins, who are members of the alleged organized crime family, are charged with the murder of Ra'anan Levi at the Kibbutz Shefaim dance club in December 2004.

Prosecutors decided two weeks ago to drop the charges of conspiracy against Ben David, after Ben David said that if he testifies while his trial is still taking place, it would be self-incriminating.

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However, despite the fact that the charges were dropped, Ben David refused to testify and was arrested by order of the Tel Aviv District Court.

Ben David said that since the press said that charges against him were dropped, it appears as if he has become a state witness - a fact that puts him in danger.

Ben David's attorneys said they plan to appeal his arrest to the High Court of Justice.

The court already stated two weeks ago that Ben David is a "hostile witness" after he refused to answer the prosecutor's questions prior to the trial.

Ben David was first arrested a month ago after police learned that he was planning to flee the country in order to avoid testifying.