Boaz Yona arrives in Israel
Over 10 months after fleeing country, CEO of collapsed construction company Heftziba extradited from Italy, soon after arrival signs plea bargain agreeing to 7 year prison term. Greeted by dozens of outraged protestors in Israel, Yona yells at reporters: You judged me, turned me into thief
Just a few short hours later, a plea bargain was signed between Yona and the State's Prosecutor's Office in cooperation with the Justice Ministry.
A statement published by the Justice Ministry said that according to the deal, the court will sentence Yona to seven years in prison, probation, and the payment of NIS 4 million in damages to victims of his company's collapse, to be funded by his associates.
The State waived the fine it had planned to charge, and will instead ask for damages to compensate the victims. Yona will also be forced to cooperate with the investigation fully. When the investigation is concluded, an indictment based on Yona's plea bargain will be filed with the Jerusalem District Court. Yona will admit to the charges against him and convicted on the basis of his confession.
Yona's arrest has been extended until after the indictment is filed and the legal proceedings against him are completed.
'I ran?'
Channel 10 reported that a commotion broke out on the plane when Yona attacked journalists attempting to converse with him. "I stayed here, I stayed in Israel. Shame on the press!" he yelled. "You can't judge a person before he stands trial. You judged me; you turned me into a thief. Next time do your homework. Investigate who built more than me in Israel. I ran? For shame. Look who's waiting for me in Israel and then you will understand why I didn't arrive."
On Tuesday of last week a Venice court ruled that Yona was to be extradited to Israel. Investigators of the National Fraud Unit were sent to Italy in order to escort Yona during his flight.
Immediately after landing Yona was transferred to the Unit's offices, where he was greeted by 30 people who had suffered damages from his company's downfall. "You took our homes. We have nowhere to live!" the outraged protestors cried.
Yona escorted by police. (Photo: Nir Kafri)
Yona will now undergo his first investigation in Israel, during which he will be asked about the circumstances of the collapse of Heftziba, which left thousands of people who had purchased homes through the company destitute. He is set to spend the night in Abu Kabir Prison, and tomorrow police are scheduled to appeal to the Magistrate's Court in Tel Aviv to extend his arrest.
Yona was captured in the Italian city of Verona in August of last year, following a complicated international operation. His remand was extended and he was transferred to Venice. Israel was quick to file for extradition, as the two countries have an extradition agreement. A Venice court determined he was to be extradited, but Yona opposed the move and took legal steps that prevented it until last month, when he announced he would no longer oppose extradition.
In an interview with an Italian newspaper, Yona claimed he was a political victim of the banks and a change in government policy. He also claimed Israel had betrayed him. As for the claim that the crisis emerged after he decided to launch a construction project beyond the Green Line, Yona blamed the previous government for encouraging construction in those areas. "The new centrist-leftist government cut those funds and caused serious damage," he said.
Two months ago Yona expressed regret for his actions during an interview with Yediot Ahronot. "I did everything possible to make sure the buyers would receive their homes. I failed, but I certainly didn't steal," he said from a jail cell in Italy.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this article
