Judge: Details about Zini’s brother were publicized to dispel rumors; lawyer says he’s innocent

Yaniv Ben Harush, the judge presiding over a high-profile Gaza smuggling case that implicates Bezalel Zini, the brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini, says he cleared the publication of the allegations against the security official’s relative in order to put rumors to rest.

“It is important that the public knows that tanks and drones were not smuggled, otherwise people believe the rumors that are published online,” he says, according to Channel 12 News.

Zini and two others are suspected of smuggling cigarettes into the Strip while serving in the IDF reserves. However, 13 others allegedly involved in the smuggling network face security-related charges for the supposed smuggling of dual-use items that can be put to civilian or military ends.

Assaf Klein, the lawyer representing Zini, insists on his client’s innocence and says he “unequivocally denies all the suspicions attributed to him” in a statement to reporters.

“He has contributed and will continue to contribute to the State of Israel,” he continues. “The good of the country has always been in his eyes and always will be, just like his entire family.”

Another lawyer representing one of three suspects thought to have trafficked cigarettes into the Strip stresses that the accusations do not involve items that Hamas could potentially use toward violent ends.

The suspicion is “the smuggling of cigarettes, as we surmised from the start, not dual-use items, drones, weapons,” says Kobi Yaakobi Kisos to the Kan public broadcaster.

“I suggest everyone hold their breath and not decree the fate of people who have served more than 200 days of reserve duty,” he continues.