Elad mayor released to house arrest in Bnei Brak

Elad affair: At noon Mayor Yitzhak Eidan and real estate developer Mordechai Cohen, were brought to discuss the matter at the Magistrates Court - Rishon Lezion. Police asked to release them under restrictive conditions, and were released to home arrest.

The mayor was released under restrictive conditions: house arrest at his mother's home in Bnei Brak- until Friday at 17:00. For Shabbos he may return home to Elad. He could return to the municipality in Elad only on 10.06 - in about two weeks.

The court further held, "City CEO shall be entitled to contact him for the affairs of the municipality, after informing the applicant the date of the meeting. On contacting the factors asked about them during interrogations for 60 days, except for family members not on the investigation. Prohibition to leave the country for 90 days."

Moti Cohen was also released under the same conditions: under house arrest at his brother in Tirat Yehuda until Friday, exclusion from the municipality of Elad for 15 days, the stabilization for questioning at any time required, plus bail of NIS 50,000, and third party guarantee in the amount of NIS 50,000.

Researchers of the National Fraud Israel Police raided on Sunday at the home of Mayor Elad on Meiri Street, searched and then arrested the mayor, and later the real estate developer Moti Cohen. They also searched the car and home of his driver, Itzik Edri.

In addition, five investigators raided the engineering departments and Shefa City Hall and the mayor's office while they confiscated documents, computers and equipment, and questioned employees.

Later in the day Elad Mayor Yitzhak Eidan and real estate entrepreneur Moti Cohen, were brought to Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court, where the judge extended the remand by three days until today (Tuesday).

Attributed to them are counts of giving and taking bribes, bribery mediation, fraud and breach of trust, planning and building violations, theft by unauthorized and offenses under the Anti-Money Laundering and Tax Ordinance.

Lawyers of the Mayor, Eran Tzlinker and Eran Ben-Ami said in response to B'Chadrei Charedim: "The court wants to manage a tight judgment linked to the investigation. I believe that towards the debate on Tuesday we will know more than now. Suspicions are general; the mayor himself did not know what they want from him.

"The police conducted an undercover investigation that lasted several months. I believe the evidence collected and the question is whether there is sufficient evidence to lead police to which it wants to reach."

Council member, Pinny Gross said: "Until proven wrong, you cannot say anything. Elad has stories every Monday and Thursday. This story is unpleasant and we have to wait to figure out where to develop the investigation. Eidan is a nice person, I do not believe he would do something wrong. "

Amongst the interrogated were: Marcel Eidan, the wife of the mayor, a well known Rosh Kollel in the city and his driver, Itzik Edri – mayor's driver and city residents allegedly involved in the investigation.

One resident described the situation to B'Chadrei Charedim: "This is a city of crime? Arrests are being held, officials investigated, where are we? This is a terrible blasphemy."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!