Tel Aviv resident charged in Israel with extortion and harassment
Israel’s prosecution has charged 48-year-old Tel Aviv resident Udi Ayalon with extortion by threats, violating a court order, harassment via a means of communication, and invasion of privacy. As The Jerusalem Post reports, the indictment was filed with the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court.
The prosecution’s version
According to the indictment, Ayalon organized paid lectures for a female media professional as part of a business relationship that later developed into a friendship. After about two years, prosecutors say, he became dissatisfied with the level of attention she gave him and began sending her WhatsApp messages threatening to harm her income and reputation.
The woman refused further meetings and asked to end both the business and friendly relationship. After that, the prosecution alleges, Ayalon sent further threatening messages, published posts on social media, and repeatedly appeared at her workplaces. He also allegedly threatened to contact the woman’s management and colleagues and disclose information about her if she did not resume communication with him.
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Court restrictions and complaint
Later, the woman obtained a court order prohibiting Ayalon from contacting or harassing her in any form. The court also imposed a non-disclosure order concerning information about the proceedings. The indictment states that Ayalon allegedly violated both decisions.
Following the alleged violations, the woman contacted the police. According to prosecutors, during a confrontation as part of the investigation, Ayalon continued threatening her in the presence of a police investigator and said that she should be afraid of him.
The prosecution is asking the court to prohibit Ayalon, for the duration of the criminal proceedings, from directly or through other people contacting, harassing, or threatening the woman. During the preliminary investigation, Ayalon’s lawyer denied the suspicions and said that his client was himself the victim in this dispute.
