Former Premier League soccer player detained at airport over massive corruption probe
Suspect stopped by police at Ben Gurion Airport as he returned from trip abroad; 18 others already arrested in connection with suspected garbage disposal graft scheme in north
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A former Israeli premier league soccer player was detained for questioning by police overnight in connection with an extensive corruption investigation that has already seen over a dozen mayors and municipal officials from the north of the country arrested, it was reported Wednesday.
The player, who was not publicly named, was stopped at Ben Gurion Airport as he arrived back in the country from a trip abroad.
He is in his forties and a resident of the northern town of Isfiya, which is one of the locations at the heart of the corruption probe involving several municipalities.
On Monday, police arrested 18 suspects in connection with the case, which became public after a year-long undercover investigation. Among those arrested were the mayors and some local council members in Isfiya, Kafr Manda, Reineh and Abu Snan.
They are suspected of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, money laundering and tax offenses.
The suspects’ offices and homes were searched, and a large amount of cash was reportedly found at the residence of Kafr Manda Council head Ali Zidane.
Investigators from the Lahav 433 national crime unit suspect that the owners of a garbage collection company bribed officials in northern councils to win tenders for refuse collection.
The Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court extended the remand of six of the suspects for four days. It was unclear if the other arrested individuals remained in detention.
The Times of Israel Community.