Israeli Underworld Figure Eitan Chayeh Arrested in Tel Aviv Over Assault
Veteran Israeli underworld figure Eitan Chayeh was arrested in Tel Aviv on suspicion of assault amid an ongoing criminal dispute, months after serving a 12-year prison sentence.
Eitan Chayeh, a 73-year-old veteran figure in the Israeli criminal underworld, was arrested Wednesday morning in Tel Aviv on suspicion of involvement in a violent altercation and assault stemming from an ongoing dispute between criminals.
The arrest was carried out by detectives from the Central Unit of the Jerusalem District. Footage from the scene shows approximately seven police officers surrounding Chayeh's vehicle, moving in quickly, and striking him during the apprehension.
Chayeh, often dubbed the "Israeli Godfather," was released only last March after serving roughly 12 years in prison. His criminal record spans back to the early 1970s, when he was convicted of the murder of Amnon Hadad, who was shot to death while sleeping. Chayeh, who was 17 at the time, was sentenced to life imprisonment, though his sentence was later commuted and he was released in 1979. During that same period, he was also convicted of kidnapping and extortion.
From the US Back to Israeli Organized Crime
Following his release, Chayeh relocated to the United States, where he became a prominent figure among Israeli organized crime syndicates in New York. In 1993, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison following his conviction for serious offenses related to organized crime.
He subsequently returned to Israel, where his legal troubles persisted, including convictions for extortion and money laundering. In 2016, he was sentenced to 20 years behind bars, a term later reduced on appeal to approximately 12 years.
Even after his most recent release, Chayeh's name quickly returned to the headlines. Days after leaving prison, he was detained for questioning on suspicion of utilizing security cameras in a luxury Tel Aviv building for surveillance purposes, ultimately being released under restrictive conditions.
Now, merely months after regaining his freedom, Chayeh has been arrested once again and taken in for questioning. Police are expected to bring him before a court to request an extension of his detention.
