Prisons Service says receives threats against Omri Sharon

The Prisons Service is considering placing Omri Sharon in protective custody at Maasiyahu Prison after receiving intelligence of plans by extremist, right-wing inmates to harm him.

Omri Sharon, former MK and son of former prime minister Ariel Sharon, is identified closely with the Gaza Disengagement that his father engineered.

Prisons Service sources have also stated that they received intelligence that an right-wing extremist organization has circulated a phone number among prisoners at Maasiyahu prison which they can call if they want to report on any changes in the conditions of Sharon's incarceration.

In 2006, Sharon was convicted of violating campaign finance laws, falsifying corporate documents and perjury. He was fined NIS 300,000 and sentenced to nine months in jail, which was later reduced to seven months.

Right-wing activists Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben-Gvir shouted insults at Sharon outside of the Tel Aviv courthouse where final proceedings took place, for what they called his part in the "annihilation of Jewish life" in the Gaza Strip settlements during the 2005 Disengagement from Gaza.

After court proceedings came to a close, Prisons Service officials loaded Sharon into a police van together with other inmates for his drive to Maasiyahu prison, a minimum security facility near Ramle. During his stay, he is expected to work as a teacher for other inmates.

	Omri Sharon, leaving his home in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. (Nir Cafri)