A third former senior aide to Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz is being questioned as a suspect in the Case 3000 investigation into Israeli naval acquisitions from Germany.
The former adviser, who worked with Steinitz during Steinitz’s 2009-2013 stint as finance minister, is being questioned under caution at the police’s anti-corruption unit Lahav 433 in Lod. His identity is currently under gag order.
Last week, Rami Taib, a veteran Israeli political operative who currently serves as Steinitz’s political adviser, was arrested as part of the investigation, on suspicion of bribery, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Rami Taib, political adviser to Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, at a remand hearing at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court, September 4, 2017. (Screen capture: Ynet)
Taib is a close associate of David Sharan, a former chief of staff for both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Steinitz, who was also arrested last week on suspicion of taking bribes, fraud, breach of trust and conspiring to commit a crime.
Steinitz is not a suspect in the probe but is expected to give testimony to investigators in the coming weeks.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 10, 2017
