Ben Artzi kidnappers were sentenced: pay 10 thousand shekels for three years of imprisonment and extortion

First publication: The Beer Sheva District Court sentenced today (Wednesday) the sentences of four members of the Association, 'Talmei Geulas Yisrael', who were arrested almost four years ago, after it became clear they hid Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi, in a safe house in Tiberias - where he lived for three years, while they extorted the rabbi and ran the contributions system in his name. Thus the affair which stirred the media in Israel and abroad is ending.

In the mid-90s Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi founded the "Talmei Geulas Yisrael", which he headed. The current affairs of the association were conducted by Shmuel Shukrun, Shimon Katorza, Zvi Yaakov Weitzman and Micha Petito.

In 2005, following questions Rabbi Arzi asked the members about their fund activity, they made a deciosin to remove him from his spiritual status, and send him away from the community of Telamim where he lived.

Initially Rabbi Artzi refused, but due to the psychological pressure on him, he agreed. For three years, the four housed the Rabbi in Tiberias, whilst threatening he that if he does not act in accordance with their respective directives, and dares to go back to the Moshav, they will distribute embarrassing stories about him, which would be sufficient to harm his good name. Therefore the Rabbi was forced to stay in Tiberias.

During the period in which he the Rabbi was in Tiberias, the four made contacts with donors, representing a representation that they run the organization, and the Rabbi's stay in an isolated site is for spiritual needs. They answered, apparently in his name, answers to questions asked by donors, and requests for donations in his name.
This way huge amount of money came into the hands of the defendants, by contributors.

Today (Wednesday) the affair ended, in a ruling given by Tali Yachimovich, Beer Sheva District Judge. According to a plea bargain, the indictments against the four who confessed and were convicted were amended, and were referred to the Probation Service to obtain a report.

On each of the four was sentenced five months in prison to be served in community service. Six months probation for three years, and compensation of 10,000 shekels to everyone involved in the case will be transferred to Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!