Two J'lem criminals held for extortion

The men attacked, threatened to "slaughter" man over NIS 160,000 debt.

Two Jewish criminals who allegedly extorted a Jerusalem contractor who failed to pay back a debt were under arrest on Sunday, police said. The two suspects were apprehended on Friday on suspicion of violently assaulting their victim last month and threatening him that they will "slaughter him" if he did not pay back an NIS 160,000 debt, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said. The two men, who have maintained their right to remain silent, were remanded in custody for four days Sunday by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court. One of the suspects, Eli Arish, is appealing a two-year sentence for the same crime, while the second was previously handed down a suspended sentence for extortion, the police said.