Police investigating threats against Barkat
Jerusalem municipality confirms mayor subject of threatening emails as haredim resume riots, court releases all but six of the 57 rioters previously detained by security forces
The Jerusalem Municipality confirmed on Sunday that police are investigating threats against Mayor Nir Barkat and his deputy, Pepe Allalo from Meretz.
The threats came amidst growing tensions between members of the Eda Haredit sect and the authorities following the municipality's decision to open the Karta parking lot on Shabbat.
Jerusalem police are currently investigating two emails of a threatening nature, which were received on Sunday. City hall said Barkat receives threats from time to time, and that the emails in question did not contain a direct threat on his life.
Meanwhile only six of the 57 rioters arrested on Saturday evening currently remain in custody; indictments will be filed against them within four days.
Nearly a dozen of the detainees were released after the head of their yeshiva took it upon himself to ensure they would not partake in any more riots. Seventeen detainees from the Mea Shearim neighborhood were issued court orders forbidding them from entering Jerusalem for 60 days, their bail was set at NIS 10,000 (USD $2,520). Six additional detainees were also ordered not to return to Jerusalem.
Police say indictments will be filed against all the detainees, including those who were released on bail.
The rioting resumed on Sunday afternoon, and police closed off several routes near Shabbat Square after
after dozens of haredim set dumpsters on fire in protest of their friends' arrest the day before.
Several people were injured during Saturday's. A 20-year-old haredi man was taken to Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in serious condition after falling off a three-meter fence, and a six-year-old boy was lightly injured.
Five police officers also sustained moderate injuries.
Ronen Medzini contributed to this report
