Prosecutors on Sunday filed formal notices of intent to indict the head of the Abu Latif crime organization and 10 additional suspects in the sprawling extortion case known as “The Prince,” following the conclusion of a covert, year-long investigation led by Israel Police in the North, police announced on Monday.
The filings, submitted by the prosecution’s economic department, mark a significant escalation in one of the most sensitive and far-reaching state-witness operations conducted in recent years. The suspects include senior figures in the Abu Latif organization, alongside a certified accountant, an attorney, and a former deputy mayor, according to police.
The investigation, which focused on protection rackets and extortion through threats, was launched more than a year ago after a key insider - referred to as “The Prince” - signed a state witness agreement and was placed under the protection of the Witness Protection Authority.
Police say the probe uncovered a network of extortion and financial offenses involving millions of shekels, carried out over a period of roughly five years.
According to police, the principal suspect is Nidal Abu Latif, 46, a resident of Kfar Vradim, identified as the head of the crime organization bearing his name.
Ten additional suspects from northern Israel and the West Bank were named in the prosecutorial filings, including several members of the extended Artoul family from Majd el-Kurumand individuals from Ma’alot-Tarshiha, Peki’in, and Nablus.
The case came into public view in early December, when hundreds of police officers, Border Police troops, and special units - including the Yamam Counterterrorism Unit - carried out coordinated raids on dozens of targets linked to senior figures in the Abu Latif and Hariri crime organizations.
The operation was carried out by the Northern District’s central unit, together with prosecutors and several economic enforcement authorities.
Investigators have said that during the operation of the state witness, “The Prince” was initially deployed against the Abu Latif organization but later became the target of extortion attempts by the rival Hariri crime group.
Police said the witness continued cooperating throughout that period, employing what they described as “unique operational methods” against both organizations and providing evidence that led to the current indictments.
Extortion, fraud, money laundering among charges against Abu Latif
The charges under consideration include extortion with threats, conspiracy to commit a crime, extortion by force, obstruction of justice, fraud, money laundering offenses, tax violations, VAT offenses, and customs violations. Final indictments are expected to be filed following the completion of statutory procedures.
The developments come as police and prosecutors continue to pursue parallel cases tied to the Hariri crime organization.
On Thursday, authorities announced that indictments were expected against five Hariri-affiliated suspects accused of extorting a victim through threats to him and his family, allegedly using false identities and collecting tens of thousands of shekels in monthly payments.
Police said additional suspects from both organizations remain in custody and that the investigation into further extortion schemes connected to the affair is ongoing.
Deputy Commander Eyal Harari, head of the Northern District’s central unit, said the case reflects “unprecedented steps” taken by law enforcement to penetrate the leadership of major crime organizations, emphasizing the close cooperation between police, prosecutors, economic enforcement bodies, and the witness protection system.
Authorities described the operation as part of a broader campaign to curb organized crime in northern Israel, warning that further indictments may follow as the investigation continues.