Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and Wife Released From House Arrest
Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and his wife Meital have been released from separate house arrest, though police retain luxury vehicles and funds amid an ongoing corruption and bribery investigation.
Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa'ar and his wife Meital have been released from separate house arrest terms, allowing them to reunite without restrictive conditions, though local police continue to investigate corruption allegations. The couple had spent roughly two weeks under strict orders prohibiting any direct or indirect contact with each other and other key figures involved in the case.
Police did not request an extension of the broader house arrest terms from the court, focusing instead on restricting access to municipal facilities to prevent potential evidence tampering. Under the conditions, Meital Sa'ar remains barred from entering the Kfar Saba municipal building and affiliated corporate offices for 45 days, while discussions regarding the mayor's potential return to active municipal duties are expected shortly.
Investigators from the Lahav 433 national fraud unit have opted to retain several luxury vehicles belonging to the couple alongside hundreds of thousands of shekels. Authorities suspect these assets represent bribes funneled through Meital Sa'ar by local business figures in exchange for municipal tenders and regulatory favors.
According to police officials, the year-and-a-half covert investigation has yielded substantial evidence implicating both the mayor and his spouse. Investigators assert that the mayor was fully aware of his wife's activities, describing her as the central conduit connecting external business interests with municipal decision-makers.
