Kiryat Malachi mayor denies rape charges

Kiryat Malachi Mayor Moti Malka denied the rape allegations brought against him by a City employee, telling reporters on Thursday that "These are all lies, the relations were consensual. 

Malka was arrested on Wednesday. His bail petition was denied and the court remanded him for an additional eight days. 

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Malka's Attorney Avi Khimi criticized the ruling, saying it was unusual. The police argued that the complexity of the case demands Malka be remanded for the maximum number of days allowed by law, in order to facilitate an efficient investigation and prevent obstruction of justice. 

Moti Malka in court (Photo: Yaron Brner)

The covert investigation further revealed that when Malka and his associates discovered they were being investigated, they met with a City councilman and threatened him to keep quiet: "They acted like a criminal organization," said a police source.

Malka is suspected of rape, sexual harassment and sodomy; as well as extortion, intimidation and several counts of bribery.

Severn other suspects, including the mayor's son, Shahar Malka, and his top aide Eli Biton, were arrested as part of the investigation. 

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