Former top security adviser detained over graft suspicions
Unnamed ex-fficial under investigation for accepting bribes from foreign business associates while serving on National Security Council
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A former senior member of the National Security Council was detained for questioning over corruption suspicions, police said Tuesday.
The unnamed former official is suspected of bribery, money laundering, fraud and breach of trust.
Police said the ex-adviser promoted the interests of a foreign business associate while he served on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security advisory body and did not report it.
Later on Tuesday, police are expected to decide whether to conditionally release the official or bring him before a judge to be remanded, a report in the Ynet news website said.
An unnamed female suspect was also detained by police for questioning over the affair on Tuesday.
The homes and offices of both suspects were searched by police.
According to the reports in Hebrew-language media, Netanyahu nominated the official to a senior advisory role earlier this year, but he turned down the post after advocacy groups alleged the ex-aide received money from foreign business associates, constituting a conflict of interest.
The Prime Minster’s Office passed the complaint on to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who in July instructed the police to open an investigation into the matter.
The investigation into the former high-ranking official is being overseen by the State Attorney’s Economic Department.
The Times of Israel Community.