While Betar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein was released following police questioning on Monday, 8 Adar 5773, it appears the mayor will be summoned for questioning in the future and he may be facing a criminal indictment.

The case pertains to allegations of the city’s modesty patrol (Vaad Tznius) using violence and unacceptable practices in dealing with the city’s off-the-derech youths, addressing municipality-run centers for the high risk youths. Police point out that their information is the result of month of undercover investigation, and they are not just acting on the word of an angry youth.

Rubinstein and a number of community rabbonim were summoned to police for questioning for their alleged knowledge of wrongdoing by a municipality employee dealing with the troubled youths. The mayor faces possible charges of interfering in a police investigation, fraud and breach of trust.

Two suspects in the case were remanded for an additional five days on Tuesday morning 9 Adar by the Rishon L’Tzion Magistrate’s Court. It appears they may face charges including aggravated assault and battery for alleged attacks that occurred in the city and on buses.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)