The investigation into organized crime groups suspected of carrying out grenade attacks against Japanika sushi chain locations in the greater Tel Aviv area has expanded internationally, with the FBI and Romanian police now involved, N12 reported on Friday.
Channel 12 legal analyst Guy Peleg divulged new details about the case during the network’s Friday news program.
“The investigation has become international,” Peleg said. “The police are not operating only in Israel. Police agencies around the world are involved, including the FBI and Romanian police. It is believed that Eran Haya, the head of a crime organization who is being held in Brooklyn, is connected to the matter, and the issue is therefore being investigated. The FBI raided his cell and found cellphones that he had ‘stashed’ there.”
Peleg added, “The Romanian security service questioned Yossi Musli’s brother, Eli Musli, based on materials transferred by Israel Police. The Romanian authorities made it clear to Musli that if this continues, they will shut down the businesses in Romania. There will be results and achievements in this case.”
Tel Aviv police arrest Yossi Musli
Police announced on Tuesday that the Tel Aviv District Police Central Unit had arrested Yossi Musli on suspicion of involvement in shootings and grenade attacks targeting Japanika locations in the greater Tel Aviv area and central Israel.
Musli, a Tel Aviv resident in his 40s, was taken to the Tel Aviv District Police Central Unit for questioning. Police said he would be brought before a magistrate’s court the following day for a hearing on whether to extend his detention.
Three additional suspects were arrested shortly afterward. All three are residents of the greater Tel Aviv area. One is 18, while the other two are in their 30s.
They were also taken to the Tel Aviv District Police Central Unit for questioning and were due to appear before a magistrate’s court for hearings on whether to extend their detention.
Musli denies allegations during investigation
The court subsequently extended Musli’s detention until July 19. Musli is suspected of involvement in a wave of violent incidents linked to a conflict that erupted in recent days between the Musli and Jarushi crime families.
He denied the allegations during questioning.
“I have no connection to the attacks,” he said. “I was at home. I did nothing.”
The court extended the detention of the three additional suspects by five days. They are suspected of involvement in 13 incidents in which explosive devices were thrown as part of the conflict.
The court ruled that the danger posed by the suspects justified keeping them in custody.