Abergil brothers extradited to US

Complex extradition procedure of crime bosses underway. Two face trial in US for involvement in murder, money laundering, drug trafficking and affiliation with crime organization

Raanan Ben-Zur|Published: 01.12.11 , 12:57

Crime bosses Itzik and Meir Abergil are being transported from their respective prisons to the Ben Gurion Airport where they will be extradited to the United States. They face a trial on charges of involvement in murder, money laundering, drug trafficking and affiliation with a crime organization.

The extradition procedure is being directed by the National Police Unit for International Crime which is working together with American federal marshals who are to escort the two suspects to the US. Also being extradited are the brothers' alleged accomplices Moshe Malul, Yisrael Ozipa and Sasson Barashi.

They were given a two-hour notice before being transported to the airport in order to prevent any escape attempts. Police stressed that only the five detainees and security forces will board the plane which is being leased from the US.

Heading to plane (Photo: Yoav Zitun)

Meir and Itzik Abergil were arrested in August 2008 following an extradition request by US authorities. They are suspected of being involved in the murder of Israeli drug dealer Sami Atias, as well as in money laundering, drug trafficking and affiliation with a crime organization. Malul, Ozipa and Barashi were charged with similar offences. In early December the Supreme Court rejected their appeal and ordered their extradition.

Should the two be convicted by a US court, they will nonetheless serve their sentence in Israel. Over the last few months the brothers have been waging a campaign against the Prison Service trying to ease their confinement conditions. Last April, they refused to appear in their appeal hearing as they were not allowed to leave the prison with cookies, milk, clothes, towels and toilet paper.