Deputy said suspected of trying to paper over probe into top IDF lawyer over Sde Teiman leak

Police investigators increasingly suspect that the deputy to ex-military advocate general Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi covered up her role in the leaking of surveillance footage from the Sde Teiman detention, Haaretz reports.

Deputy Military Advocate General Brig. Gen. Gal Asael, who led an unsuccessful internal probe into the Sde Teiman leak affair before police became involved, has been questioned as a suspect several times since the investigation into the affair began.

Police reportedly believe that Asael deceived Hagai Harush, a senior aide to the attorney general, by reporting back to him about investigative actions he never actually carried out, with the goal of avoiding a real investigation into Tomer-Yerushalmi.

A source familiar with the investigation tells Haaretz that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who has been attacked by coalition lawmakers due to her office’s oversight of the failed internal probe, is not a suspect in the case.

“There is no indication that the attorney general was involved or knew of the leak or the investigation’s coverup,” says the source. “The circle of lies remains within the military advocate general’s office.”

The affair concerns the leaking of surveillance footage purporting to show IDF troops severely abusing a Palestinian detainee. Five have been indicted in the alleged abuse.

The investigation into the leak itself is expected to conclude in the coming days, Haaretz reports.