Collected protection money and threatened: "If you don't pay - we will burn the place down"
An indictment was filed against Abu Ja'afar, a resident of Be'er Sheva, and Abu Assa, a resident of Tel Sheva, after they collected protection money from a kiosk. According to the investigation, after the employee paid the protection money several times, he said he had no money - and in response, the two started a violent confrontation and threatened him with a knife.
The State Attorney's Office filed an indictment today, Monday, at the District Court in Be'er Sheva against Muhammad Abu Ja'afar (approx. 18) from Be'er Sheva and Anas Abu Assa (approx. 18) from Tel Sheva, following the extortion of protection money from a kiosk in Be'er Sheva.
According to the indictment filed by Adv. Idan Ivgi of the Southern District Attorney's Office, there was a prior acquaintance between Abu Ja'afar and an employee at the kiosk. The investigation revealed that during April of last year, Abu Ja'afar introduced himself to the employee as being "responsible for security" in the area, demanded weekly payments, and threatened to burn down the kiosk if the demands were not met.
Due to fear of damage to the business, the employee transferred approximately 4,000 NIS from the cash register to Abu Ja'afar on four separate occasions. Furthermore, Abu Ja'afar frequently took products from the kiosk without paying, while the employee, fearing retaliation, refrained from demanding payment.
In June of last year, Abu Ja'afar returned to demand additional funds. Upon being told there was no money, he threatened the employee, claiming no one would be able to help him until he paid. Shortly thereafter, Abu Assa arrived, joined the extortion attempt, and confronted the employee's stepfather, who tried to intervene. After being removed from the premises, Abu Assa threatened to return.
Later that day, according to the indictment, Abu Ja'afar returned to the scene, declared to the victims that "we are collecting protection from him," and a brawl ensued. During the incident, Abu Assa arrived with an accomplice with the alleged intent of attacking the victims. During the confrontation, the accomplice threatened one of the victims while brandishing a knife.
The defendants are charged with the offense of collecting protection money, and Abu Assa is additionally charged with assault under aggravating circumstances. The case was handled by the Negev YAMAR (Central Unit) and the Be'er Sheva police station.
