Police announce that they are to recommend charges against Avriel Bar-Yosef, the man Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had wanted to serve as national security adviser.
According to a police statement, Bar-Yosef, 62, is suspected of bribery, money laundering, fraud and breach of trust.
According to police, Bar-Yosef is suspected of receiving bribes from a German businessman who invested hundreds of thousands of euro in a company run by a close relative of his, in addition to receiving other valuable benefits and promises of future money.
In exchange, Bar-Yosef advanced the interests of the German businessman, among other things in the development of Israel’s offshore natural gas reserves.
Avriel Bar-Yosef is seen at a hearing at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court following his arrest in the ‘Case 3000’ affair on July 10, 2017. (Moti Kimchi/Pool/Flash90)
Bar-Yosef, 61, had been nominated by Netanyahu to serve as national security adviser, a top administration post, but withdrew his candidacy in July after advocacy groups alleged the ex-aide received money from foreign business associates, constituting a conflict of interest.
Bar-Yosef, who was deeply involved in forming the natural gas policies, is said to have pushed for the establishment of a facility that would have reaped large profits for the Germans, despite objections from experts.
He is also suspected of involvement in Case 3000 involving the purchase of naval vessels from Germany.
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