CHAREDIM ARRESTED FOR WEB ‘EXTORTION’

FOUR DIRECTORS of Behadrey Haredim, a popular strictly-orthodox news and discussion website, were arrested this week in Tel Aviv on suspicion of extortion. Police have placed a gag order forbidding publication of any details of the affair, but according to rumours circulating in Charedi circles, the directors would approach well-known figures and demand cash for withholding potentially damaging information. Behadrey Haredim was established in 2000 but was excommunicated by leading Orthodox rabbis in 2009.