Lior Eliyahu
צילום: אל קוראו
Palestinian contractor detained at basketball star's home
West Bank resident Hatem Sheikh suspected of residing in Israel illegally, employing other illegal aliens during work on new Petah Tikva home of former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Lior Eliyahu. Police: Hoopster may also be questioned
Petah Tikva Police recently arrested a Palestinian contractor suspected of residing in Israel illegally, as well as employing and housing other Palestinian workers who entered the country without a permit.
Police have tried to get their hands on 32-year-old Hatem Sheikh for months and finally managed to apprehend him in a sting operation.
Superintendent Yaron Ahrak of the Petah Tikva Police said a female officer impersonating a potential client contacted Sheikh and asked to meet him at the home of former Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball player Lior Eliyahu so that she may "get an impression of his work."
Sheikh, a resident of the West Bank village of Azoun, supervised the work on Eliyahu's new home in Petah Tikva.
The female officer arrived at the house with a number of her colleagues and arrested Sheikh. Five other Palestinian workers who were found inside the house were detained as well.
Lior Eliyahu's father, who is suspected of hiring and housing illegal aliens, is expected to be questioned in the case as well. Investigators said Lior Eliyahu, who currently plays for Spain's Laboral Baskonia, may also be interrogated if it is found that he was involved in the day-to-day construction of his home.
