By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
A suspected mob kingpin who is facing extradition to the United States to stand trial on a slew of charges including murder, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and extortion was remanded in custody on Sunday through the extradition hearings, but his brother was released from detention and placed under house arrest.
Itzhak Abergil, 39, was remanded in custody by a Jerusalem court through the duration of the extradition hearings, while his brother Meir, 53 was placed under house arrest.
"The court found that the evidence against my client is minimal and does not justify his remand in custody," said Meir Abergil's attorney Avi Amiram, predicting that the evidence in the case will not justify his extradition either.
The Abergil brothers were arrested in August following a US extradition request.
Both sides have 48 hours to appeal the remand decision.
Despite the protracted legal battle over extradition, Israeli law enforcement officials say the US indictment against "one the most powerful crime families in Israel" will effectively terminate the Israeli crime family's activities.
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