The suspect
Photo: Dana Kopel
Bomb threats suspect allegedly threatened, extorted US senator
Police investigation found that the young hacker did not appreciate a certain US senator's remarks against him, and so called him to go back on his comments, or else; when the senator did not comply, the hacker allegedly sent drugs to his home in order to incriminate him.
The Israeli arrested in March on suspicion of making hundreds of bomb threats to Jewish community centers around the world and even causing a forced emergency landing in JFK airport, is now also suspected of threatening and extorting a Republican member of the US senate, going so far as to send drugs to his home in order to incriminate him.
After the story broke but before the 18-year-old resident of Ashkelon was arrested, the senator made strong comments against the perpetrators of the threats.
The hacker (Photo: Dana Kopel)
The youth then allegedly called the senator, telling him to take back his comments or else he will fine him using Bitcoin every 72 hours. He then added that if he won't pay the fine, he will incriminate him using his own methods.
After the politician did not accede to his demands, the hacker allegedly purchased drugs over the darknet and sent to the senator's home in envelopes.
The police intend to add this count to the charges against the hacker, which will be filed on Monday.
Shira Nir, the suspect's lawyer, stated that "the indictments against my client will present tomorrow my client's mental health. It seems that every count against him serves as further proof for his unfitness to stand trial due to his brain tumor and mental state.
Shira Nir, presenting the hacker's brain tumor (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
"It is unthinkable that a young man who is right in his mind with these mental skills will think consider doing a fraction of what my client is charged with, and if found to be guilty of the allegations against him it is our duty as a society to above all provide him with the treatment he needs.
"In the hearing tomorrow I will ask the court for a sanction in lieu of jail time, as with every day that passes my client's mental state deteriorates further."
(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
