Arthur Rosen
Photo: Elad Gershgoren
Deputy mayor in Israel arrested over 1999 mob murder
Police seek to extend arrest of deputy mayor of northern city in Israel amid suspicions he played a part in 1999 mob-related hit against underworld criminal Arthur Rosen; Israeli crime boss Asi Abutbul also suspected of involvement.
The Israel Police arrested Thursday a deputy mayor of a city in northern Israel on suspicion of involvement of the death of the renowned criminal Arthur Rosen in 1999. A gag order has been placed on the identity of the suspect and the name of his city.
Following the arrest and the suspect’s questioning by the National Crimes and Corruption Unit Lahav 433, the deputy mayor was brought to the Rishon LeZion Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon where discussions were held on extending his remand.
Arrested deputy mayor (Photo: Yaron Brener)
Another man suspected of involvement in the murder is Israeli crime boss Asi Abutbul who is currently serving 17 years in prison.
Rosen’s body was found lying on the side of the coastal road near the northern city of Or Akiva. When the investigation was first opened, the death was believed to have been caused by a car accident.
Arthur Rosen (Photo: Elad Gershgoren)
However, after the discovery of evidence at the scene, suspicions arose that Rosen had been murdered.
The body was sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute in Abu Kabir where three bullets were found in Rosen’s head. Returning to the scene of the crime, detectives found blood stains and bullet shells on the ground.
Asi Abutbul (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Abutbul was arrested last month on suspicion of his involvement in the hit while simultaneously being accused of conspiracy and murder of lawyer Yoram Haham in 2008.
With the reopening of the investigation, the police were expected to submit an indictment against Abutbul. However, after denying all charges, no prosecutor's statement was filed.
