Moshe Lion stopped at airport for customs evasion

Recently defeated Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Lion was questioned by customs authorities Monday on suspicion of failing to declare a large quantity of clothes purchased abroad.

Lion, who lost a close race to incumbent Mayor Nir Barkat two weeks ago, was detained for four hours after passing through customs at Ben Gurion Airport with an “unusual amount of clothes.” He had been asked to open his suitcases by authorities, who discovered “hundreds of articles of clothing worth thousands of dollars,” according to Israel Radio.

Customs officials have not yet decided whether or not to press charges against him.

Israeli tax law requires citizens to declare any goods purchased abroad that are worth more than $200 in total (approximately NIS 700). The punishment for failing to declare such goods is generally the payment of any outstanding taxes plus three times that amount in penalties.

The mayoral candidate’s name was initially withheld from publication.

Lion said the clothing was for personal use and that he would pay any necessary fees.