Amid graft probe, police may request Deri be put in house arrest

Investigators probing the corruption suspicions against Interior Minister Aryeh Deri are reportedly considering requesting that the cabinet minister be placed under house arrest.

Deri and his wife Yaffa are being questioned separately by police on Monday morning, hours after officers arrest 14 other people in connection with a real estate-related graft probe.

Police are also said to be considering asking that Deri be suspended from his duties as interior minister, as the graft allegations constitute a possible conflict of interest.

As a member of Knesset Deri enjoys parliamentary immunity, so police require the approval of the attorney general as well as the Knesset itself to implement any direct sanctions against the interior minister without his agreement.