Parole board cuts prison sentence of Yisrael Beytenu ex-minister

The parole board accepts the request of an imprisoned former Yisrael Beytenu minister to shorten his sentence, clearing the way for his release next month.

Stas Misezhnikov began serving a 15-month sentence in December for a breach of trust conviction stemming from his tenure as tourism minister from 2009 to 2013.

With the parole board’s decision today to shorten his sentence from 15 to 9 months, Misenzhnikov is now expected to be released in early September.

The shortening of his sentences comes despite the opposition of prosecutors and after President Reuven Rivlin rejected Misenzhnikov’s request for clemency last month.

Misezhnikov, 49, was accused of asking organizers of a student festival in Eilat in 2012 for which his ministry secured some NIS 1 million in funds to employ his romantic partner. The organizers consented and paid her tens of thousands of shekels.