The Tel Aviv District Court, in a ruling by Judge Shay Yaniv, imposed a 45-day restrictive order this week on alleged crime organization leader Yossi Mussli. The decision follows a police request for various restrictions as part of the ongoing struggle against organized crime, specifically citing what authorities define as a violent and active conflict between his organization and the Jaroushi crime syndicate.
The order mandates that Mussli remain under house arrest until the eve of Yom Kippur and prohibits him from using any instant messaging applications. Regarding his residence, the court ruled he may remain in his Kfar Shalem home until this coming Sunday, after which he must relocate to his property in Savyon. A representative of the Tel Aviv Central Unit (Yamar) argued during the hearing that, in the police's view, Mussli's presence in Kfar Shalem could undermine the objectives of the order, as the area is identified as a hub for his organization's activity. Furthermore, the police noted that the relocation is necessary to protect Mussli himself, as his home has previously been targeted due to the ongoing conflict.
Mussli's defense attorneys, Doron Noy and Shahar Hazroni, sharply criticized the proceeding. In their arguments, the defense counsel stated that this involves severe restrictions on individual liberty without a standard criminal process and without the presentation of sufficient evidence, arguing that the law encourages avoiding investigative efforts and case resolution. Conversely, Mussli denied the allegations, characterizing them as baseless.
It should be noted that last July, Mussli was investigated on suspicion of property damage, arson, and conspiracy to commit a crime in connection with incidents targeting the "Japanika" restaurant chain. The court's decision reflects the growing use of administrative restrictive orders by law enforcement as a tool to combat criminal organizations, even when an immediate indictment cannot be filed. Defense attorneys emphasized that despite the order, the court did not fully grant all police demands, particularly regarding the duration of the period and the location of immediate residence. The current situation places Mussli under close supervision and significantly limits his movements for a predetermined period.