Police recommend Or Akiva mayor stand trial for bribery

Completing their investigation, police recommend charging Yaakov Edri, the mayor of the city of Or Akiva and a former government minister, with a series of corruption offenses, including bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Edri’s arrest in November was part of a broader police corruption probe into the Or Akiva municipality in which dozens of suspects have been detained for questioning. Edri and others are suspected of having promoted various tenders and permits in exchange for benefits.

“From the vast amount of evidence gathered, a picture emerges according to which Edri, during the last decade he has served in public positions, acted systematically, while exploiting his status and powers, in order to influence and benefit with stakeholders in exchange for bribes,” police say in a statement.

Edri denies the allegations.

Edri is a former MK for the Likud and Kadima parties, having served in the Knesset between 2003 and 2013. He was also health minister, immigration minister, and minister for the development of the periphery, the Negev and the Galilee.