A gang of 12 youths from south Tel Aviv is in custody on suspicion of launching
a series of assaults on African migrants in the area, police announced late
Wednesday night.
News of the arrests came as racial tensions in the
economically downtrodden southern Tel Aviv neighborhoods soared following a
violent demonstration held by locals on Wednesday against the influx of
migrants.
Police believe the suspects, most of whom are minors, assaulted
the migrants on several occasions. During some of the assaults, the suspects
allegedly beat victims with clubs, while in others, pepper spray was involved,
police suspect.
The arrest followed an intensive investigation the Yiftah
police-sub district in south Tel Aviv launched following complaints by African
migrants of violence.
The Tel Aviv Youth Magistrate’s Court released five
youths to house arrest for four days, and six more suspects were released on
bail on Thursday.
An additional suspect was kept in custody for an
additional day, after he refused the option of house arrest.
Law
enforcement officials fear more incidents of violence could follow in light of
the high tensions in the area.
Meanwhile, police in south Tel Aviv
arrested an Eritrean national on suspicion of mugging a female solder and
snatching her phone. The soldier was walking down a street in the morning when
the alleged incident occurred.
She notified a store security guard, who
chased down the suspect and tackled him, before contacting police.