Police up security for judge threatened by crime boss
Public threats made by head of crime organization after being sentenced to lengthy prison term by Judge Uri Shoham prompt police to reinforce security precautions
Police have boosted security for Uri Shoham, fearing the Tel Aviv District Court judge would be targeted by members or proxies of the crime organization whose leaders he jailed.
Shoham presided over the panel of judges that on Monday sentenced Mussa Abu Shehada, Hafez Shurfi and Muhammed Shurfi to 27, 26 and 25 years in prison, respectively. The three along with eight other recently convicted men are all members of the crime organization in question.
One of those convicted threatened the judge publically, calling out: "You'll be hearing from us when the day comes."
The Tel Aviv police confirmed an investigation has been launched following the threats.
On Tuesday police held a meeting to assess the judge's situation. It was also decided that the
investigation would be handled by the Tel Aviv District's Central Unit.
The police added that they were considering the threats with the utmost gravity, saying that any attack must be prevented and that justice must be served.
Shoham joins two other judges currently under protection due to threats on their person – both from the Tel Aviv District Court – George Kara and Bracha Ofir-Tom.
