Lured under the guise of a loan: Kidnapping and threats in Be'er Sheva
According to the indictment, three individuals lured a young man to Be'er Sheva, where they beat him, threatened to kill him, and demanded 10,000 shekels for a fabricated debt. The victim managed to escape the vehicle and contact the police.
An indictment was filed today at the Be'er Sheva District Court against Ran Amkais (23), Omer Illal (24), and Nahorai Haimi for the kidnapping of a young man, extortion by threats, and other offenses. According to the allegations, the three kidnapped the complainant over a monetary debt they claimed he owed, beat him, threatened to murder him, and prevented him from leaving until he paid them.
According to the indictment filed by Adv. Hila Malul of the Southern District Prosecutor's Office, about a year before the incident, the complainant entered into a vehicle deal with a friend of Amkais that did not materialize, leaving no debt between the parties. Despite this, Amkais allegedly demanded money on several occasions, and shortly before the incident, demanded 10,000 shekels to "close the story." After the complainant stated he did not have the sum, Amkais suggested he come to Be'er Sheva to receive a loan.
According to the charge, when the complainant arrived in Be'er Sheva, Amkais picked him up. During the drive, Haimi joined them while holding an object appearing to be a pistol. The three drove to an area near the city cemetery, where Amkais allegedly attacked the complainant, beat him, and threatened to kill him with the weapon-like object.
"The defendants forced the complainant to provide his mobile phone access code and threatened that he would not be released until he paid the money they claimed he owed," the indictment states.
They continued to drive him outside of Be'er Sheva while threatening his life. At the Tifrach junction, the complainant managed to escape the vehicle after opening the door while stopped at a traffic light, ran to a nearby bus station, and called the police with the help of a passerby.
Following the escape, Illal arrived at the scene at the request of Amkais. After police left, Illal returned to the bus station with the complainant's mobile phone and threatened that if he wanted the device back, he would have to withdraw his police complaint. He allegedly deleted the phone's content and used it.
The prosecution also attributes to Amkais and Illal an attempt to induce Haimi to provide false testimony and prevent him from cooperating with investigators.
Ran Amkais is charged with kidnapping for the purpose of murder or extortion, extortion by threats, assault causing actual bodily harm, inducing false testimony, and obstructing a police officer. Nahorai Haimi is charged with kidnapping, extortion, and assault. Omer Illal is charged with inducing false testimony and obstruction of justice.
