Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., November 23, 2007 Kislev 13, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:06 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Magazine Week's End Anglo File

del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 18:18 22/11/2007 Policemen charged with planting explosives under mob boss' car By Jonathan Lis and Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: police, Israel, arrest  Five police officers, including a superintendent, and one civilian were arrested recently on suspicion that they planted two explosive devices under the vehicle of a reputed criminal in Nahariya in October 2006. A gag order on the case was lifted Thursday, and the details of the case were made public. The explosives were planted under the car of Michael Mor, the head of an organized crime syndicate in northern Israel, and another device was placed on his nephew's windowsill. The officers are suspected of having planted these devices in efforts to intimidate the crime organization they were investigating. Advertisement The Haifa District Court on Thursday received indictments accusing the suspects of possession of explosives, weapons crimes, fraud and breach of trust. The accused police officers were a part of the force's intelligence department, but were not posted in the same unit. At a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Police Commissioner David Cohen strongly condemned the police officers' alleged actions, while at the same time saying that the police department must restore its deterrent capability against the members of organized crimes. Cohen said the police have lost their deterrent capability in recent years, leading to a string of threats and physical assaults against police officers. "I view this incident with utmost severity," said Cohen. "The soldiers' severe actions were committed in complete violation of their job, police norms, and the behavior that was expected of them." "I have been serving on the force for 30 years, and until today I had never seen officers who took the law into their own hands in such a gratuitous manner," he continued. "Such police officers ? have no place on the force." "Even today, we have police officers who under threat and security," he said. "It is inconceivable that a police officer in the State of Israel should be afraid to send his children to kindergarten because of their line of work." Still, Cohen told Army Radio on Thursday he would not open an inquiry panel into the alleged plot. The police internal affairs department said that the initial data in the case suggested that the explosives had been planted by police officers. Sources said this investigation had been particularly difficult, because the suspects were themselves investigators, and were very familiar with the methods employed by the police in the investigation of their crimes. The suspects were arrested during recent weeks, and two of them are currently still in custody. Last Friday, one of the two suspects signed a deal with the prosecution and incriminated the other suspects in the case. In light of the incriminating testimony, another officer and a civilian confessed to their involvement. Three suspects still deny any wrongdoing. The evidence in the case file suggests that on October 22, 2006, the suspects met in a wooded area, disguised their license plates and armed the explosive devices. Two groups left the meeting place - two officers headed to Mor's home and planted a device under his car, and three additional policemen, including a superintendent, placed explosives under the reputed crime boss' nephew's window. The suspects then immediately returned to their homes. One explosive device caused property damage, but the explosives under Mor's vehicle did not go off due to a technical fault. Several of the suspects were then summoned to work several hours later in order to take part in the investigation of the explosion. A gag order remains in place on the names of the suspects or any detail that could reveal their identity, for fear that the organized crime syndicate will try to harm them or their families. The civilian who was also arrested in the case is an explosives expert who deals with pyrotechnics and fireworks. He allegedly instructed the police officers in the installation of the explosives and provided them with materials. A Nahariya Police officer said after the lifting of the gag order Thursday, "we are trying to do business as usual, but there is no doubt that deep down, the sentiments are very difficult." אנחנו מנסים לשדר עסקים כרגיל אבל אין ספק שבתוך הבטן התחושות קשות מאוד", Related articles: Dichter: There are no magical solutions to organized crime Cop believed to have worked for suspected crime family Olmert to cabinet: It's time Israel had a respectable police force Bookmark to del.icio.us The Syrian secret The IAF didn't target a nuclear reactor, but something far more vicious. In good company Study: Young U.S. Jews are most comfortable when surrounded by non-Jews.   1.   "TO INTIMIDATE"??? 14:11  |  Robert 22/11/07   2.   I LOVE the photo. Which one`s the mob boss? 15:24  |  sh 22/11/07   3.   policemen take law into own hands-like common criminals ? 18:57  |  yahn goodey 22/11/07

Today Online Olmert: Status quo with Palestinians endangers Israel Responses: 25 ANALYSIS: PA should have set the bar higher at the outset Responses: 18 Haaretz TV: Militants step up attacks on Hebron border police Responses: 1 German minister: Reparations deal not up for renegotiation Responses: 11 Sharansky: Distorted reasoning will doom Annapolis to failure Send response Rosner's Domain Think of Annapolis as a big party LBJ, the "friendliest president" Christmas wars, again? (WTR) Take a guess: what official will Saudi Arabia send to Annapolis? More Headlines 10:01 IDF doctor indicted for offering to spy for Iran 09:55 PM: Maintaining status quo with Palestinians endangers Israel 05:39 ANALYSIS: PA should have set the bar higher at the outset 05:40 Israel to start gradually reducing Gaza power supply December 2 05:45 Survey: Only 20% of Israelis consider themselves secular 09:03 Egyptian FM says if Israel moves ahead with peace, so will Arabs 02:34 In Egypt, only inquiring students know about the peace deal with Israel 23:57 Source: Lebanon opposition to skip president election Friday 21:40 Rightist manifesto: Settler evacuation is 'crime against humanity' Previous Editions Select Day 22 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 16 nov 15 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 09 nov

Special Offers Advertisement Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved