Israeli police are expected to ask a court to release alleged underworld figure Yossi Musli to house arrest following his arrest in an investigation into a series of grenade explosions near branches of the Japanika fast-food chain, according to local media reports.
Arrest tied to spate of blasts
Musli was detained on Tuesday evening alongside three other suspects after a run of blasts in central Israel targeting sites linked to the Japanika sushi brand, the Ynet news site reported. Investigators suspect the incidents are connected to a growing dispute between the Musli and Jarushi crime families.
The four detainees were due to appear for a remand hearing at the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court, where police intended to request that all be released from custody and placed under supervised confinement pending further investigation, Ynet said. No charges have been announced. All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise.
Focus on business ties and alleged rivalry
Police believe the owner of the restaurant chain, Barak Abramov — who also runs the Beitar Jerusalem football club — has ties to the Jarushi family after previously being close to the Musli family, according to the reporting. The Kan public broadcaster said Abramov franchised several Japanika locations to individuals identified as active members of the Jarushi family. At least nine of the chain’s targeted branches are under the Jarushi family’s purview, Kan reported.
Authorities are also examining whether commercial relationships and franchise arrangements may have intersected with the alleged feud, as investigators work to determine motive and responsibility for the blasts. No injuries or detailed damage assessments were immediately reported in the local accounts cited.
New overnight incident under review
Police said they were investigating a separate stun grenade detonation that occurred overnight outside a private residence in northern Tel Aviv. According to Hebrew-language outlets, officers are probing whether the homeowner has any connection to either the Musli or Jarushi families. It was not immediately clear whether the overnight explosion is formally linked to the earlier series of blasts near Japanika branches.
Court process and investigative steps
At the remand hearing, investigators planned to argue for house arrest rather than continued detention for Musli and the three others arrested with him, Ynet reported. Such a move would allow continued inquiry while imposing restrictions on the suspects’ movement and contact with associates. The court’s decision will shape the next phase of the probe, including potential search warrants, forensic analysis of blast sites, and interviews with franchise operators and staff.
What investigators are examining
- Whether the series of grenade attacks are part of an escalating conflict between the Musli and Jarushi families.
- The nature of business ties between Japanika ownership, franchisees, and alleged crime family members.
- Possible links between the overnight stun grenade blast in northern Tel Aviv and the earlier Japanika-adjacent incidents.
Key figures and entities
| Person/Entity | Role in case (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Yossi Musli | Alleged crime boss; arrested; police to seek house arrest |
| Jarushi family | Rival crime family in suspected feud |
| Japanika | Fast-food chain near which multiple blasts occurred |
| Barak Abramov | Owner of Japanika; also runs Beitar Jerusalem; alleged ties examined |
| Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court | Venue for remand hearing |
Public safety and business disruption
The reported use of grenades around commercial sites raises concerns about risks to bystanders and potential disruptions to businesses operating under franchise arrangements. Authorities have not disclosed security changes at Japanika locations or whether additional protective measures are being introduced as the inquiry unfolds. Police have said they are continuing with investigative steps, including assessing whether targets were chosen due to alleged crime-family affiliations.
Local media did not indicate when a ruling on the proposed house arrest would be issued. Police have not released the names of the other three suspects arrested with Musli, and no formal indictments have been announced as of the latest reports.
