'Don't extradite me, I am afraid of America'

Suspected crime boss Meir Abergil bursts out crying during attempt to convince J'lem court he didn't commit crimes in US.

By DAN IZENBERG
Abergil88 (photo credit: )
Abergil88
(photo credit: )
Meir Abergil, the suspected mob figure whom the US wants to extradite, burst out crying on Monday at the end of an emotional speech in which he tried to convince the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court he did not commit any crimes in the US. Abergil, who is considered the money man in the organization led by his brother, Yitzhak, appealed to the court against a lower court decision to remand him in custody for 20 days while the Israeli justice ministry awaits a formal extradition request from the US. The brothers and three others are suspected of involvement in the killing of a drug peddler in the US in 2003, drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion using threats. However, Meir Abergil told Jerusalem District Court President Moussia Arad that he had nothing to do with the allegations against his brother. He described how he had gotten into trouble in the US in 1985 and had served four years in jail after reaching a plea bargain. "After that, I swore I would not return to America, not ever," he continued. "I came back to Israel and never again had anything to do with the US. I did not commit crimes connected to the US. "I am so afraid of America that I was very careful not to have any dealings with it. And suddenly, in order to turn my brother into a crime organization, [the US authorities] added my name to the indictment. "I am the victim of a conspiracy. There are officers in the National Unit for Aggravated and International Crime who tampered with criminal files and got promotions for creating provocations. They intimidated businessmen in Israel not to have dealings with me. I was forced to leave Israel and go to Africa." Abergil had to stop talking in order to calm down. When he started again, he broke into tears and had to take his seat. Meir Abergil currently lives in Sierra Leone. The state's representative, attorney Yitzhak Blum, warned the court that if he were allowed out of jail, he would flee Israel and return home. The decision on the appeal is due to be handed down on Tuesday or Wednesday.