The condition of Israeli businessman Yechiel "Chilik" Chaivi, who was released from Jordanian custody back to Israel with severe COVID-19 after being arrested in August, is deteriorating and he has been in a medically-induced coma since Yom Kippur, Ynet reported.
Chaivi, son of former judge and Ashkelon mayor Aharon Chaivi, was visiting Jordan last month when he was arrested after a Jordanian businessman allegedly scammed him in an international sting operation. Chaivi opened a plastic factory in Jordan in 2016, employing locals to help him. It was later revealed that they allegedly scammed him and stole money. The ensuing disagreement with his partners resulted in his being arrested upon arrival in Jordan last month.
While in prison, however, the 65-year-old businessman contracted COVID-19. Chaivi was unable to be vaccinated since he suffers from a semi-functional lung caused by a car accident, and his condition quickly deteriorated.
He was eventually released from prison on bail and was soon hospitalized at Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem.
However, his condition has continued to deteriorate, with close friend Kobi Agmon telling Ynet that it was an infection, but it is unclear if the infection was from his time in Jordan or contracted in the hospital.
Chaivi was placed in a medically induced coma over Yom Kippur and is connected to ventilators, Ynet reported. His condition remains critical.