5 suspected of graft in government company, including its director

Police on Tuesday detained for questioning five people, among them senior figures in a government-held company, on suspicion of corruption and accepting bribes.

Based on evidence gathered during an undercover operation, the suspects were summoned to the Lahav 433 national fraud unit’s headquarters in Lod, police said in a statement. Police also searched their homes and offices for documents and computers that would tie them to the suspected crimes.

Among those detained were the director of the company, along with its marketing director and external suppliers. They are suspected of pushing the appointments of associates in the company and advancing tenders in return for bribes.

Police said that should the investigation require it, the suspects will be brought before a judge at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court later Tuesday to be remanded in custody.

The statement said police were withholding the identities of the suspects at this early stage of the investigation in compliance with the law.

“The Israel Police puts a focus on enforcement against incidences of financial crime and corruption in government companies, in order to bring those who break to law to justice,” the statement said.

“Police will continue to investigate and uncover illicit processes, such as advancing tenders and appointments of acquaintances in a conflict of interest, fraud, and bribery,” it said.