BREAKING NEWS

Netanya Mayor banned from Municipality; claims mafia conspiracy

NOVEMBER 10, 2016 15:58

Updated: NOVEMBER 11, 2016 03:35

The Rishon Lezion District Court on Thursday extended to November 30 Netanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg-Ikar’s ban from the Netanya municipality building.

Feirberg-Ikar, who was arrested and placed under house arrest in September on suspicion of taking millions of shekels in bribes to promote the interests of real estate developers, also is forbidden from meeting with people connected to the case for an additional 13 days. She had been banned from city hall until November 7.

The Lahav 433 police unit said Thursday she is under suspicion for bribery, fraud, money laundering and tax crimes.

At a hearing on Monday, police had sought a three-month extension to the ban, arguing that the investigation is still in the early stages and they wanted to prevent outside influence.

Feirberg-Ikar defended her innocence in court, saying the investigation is being pushed by underworld criminals who are trying to oust her.

“I am a strong person, but there is a limit. I took Netanya, a city with underworld figures, and I welcomed it.

I should have gotten a lifetime achievement award and instead they blame me. I have never taken a shekel from a contractor – all lies,” she said.

“They want to remove me because I am bothering the criminals. I was not afraid of the Abutbul family [the Abutbul crime syndicate], so I’m not afraid of any a criminal,” she added.

The police investigation centers on the Coral luxury housing project in Netanya.

Feirberg-Ikar is suspected of not disclosing a financial interest in the building when she granted the developers favorable zoning and building permits.

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