Mother of supermodel Bar Refaeli released early from prison

Tzipi Refaeli was sentenced to a 16-month jail term and ordered to pay a NIS 2.5m. fine for tax-evasion offenses.

Tzipi Refaeli is released from the Tirza Prison, Monday, May 24, 2021. (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
Tzipi Refaeli is released from the Tirza Prison, Monday, May 24, 2021.
(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
Tzipi Refaeli, the mother and former agent of Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli, was released from the Neve Tirza women's prison on Monday after serving eight months of her 16-month sentence, Israeli media reported. 
Refaeli was sentenced in July 2020 to 16-months in prison and ordered to pay a NIS 2.5m. fine for tax-evasion offenses. According to a plea bargain agreement with the State Attorney's Office, her daughter, Bar, was sentenced to community service, five days a week, at a center near Tel Aviv for people with physical disabilities.
The Israel Tax Authority accused the two of evading paying taxes on income of about $7.2 million.
In January, Refaeli asked to be released from prison for medical reasons and even filed a petition against the Israel Prisons Service, claiming that she was not receiving the proper medical care she required. 
A parole board heard Refaeli's request in April.