Reputed mobster stabbed at hotel
Amir Mulner sustains moderate wounds during brawl in Herzliya hotel
A reputed mobster and two of his bodyguards sustained wounds after being stabbed at Daniel Hotel in Herzliya Monday, police officials said.
Amir Mulner, a reputed underworld figure considered one of the country's leading criminals by local police, was moderately wounded and his personal bodyguards sustained light stab wounds.
Police believe the men met members of another crime ring in the hotel to discuss a business deal. However, at one point the talks failed and a brawl broke out between Mulner's associates and those accompanying another known underworld figure. As stunned hotel guests watched on, knives were pulled out at the lobby and Mulner and two of his associates were attacked.
Alarmed hotel staff members alerted the ambulance service about the incident. One of those present said "there was a huge pool of blood at the scene."
An intensive care ambulance quickly arrived at the scene, but did not find the stab victim. A short time later, Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv reported three stab victims arrived at the medical center. Further investigation revealed others involved in the brawl fled the scene.
Meanwhile, a heavy police presence was ordered at the hospital in light of a 1999 incident where underworld figure Pinchas Buhbut was murdered in hospital by two men who dressed up as police officers.
Police officials estimate that unless a reconciliation ceremony is arranged, both sides to the brawl may soon be engaged in a war of revenge.
Mulner was catapulted to the top of the Israel Police list of wanted crime suspects after the detention of reputed underworld kingpin Ze'ev Rosenstein, who was arrested following an arrest warrant issued against him in the United States.
Mulner, who was a member of the Ramat Amidar crime ring, is to known to be an explosives expert. He currently resides in the prestigious Akirov Towers on Tel Aviv's Pinkas street and was rumored to be involved in an explosion in the car of the Towers' manager.
Raanan Ben-Zur contributed to the report
