Prison service chief defiant after being questioned in police probe

Israel Prison Service chief Kobi Yaakobi expresses defiance after being questioned yesterday on suspicion of obstructing an investigation and breach of trust.

Speaking at an IPS conference, Yaakobi tells the crowd that after his interrogation, “I left through the front door with my head held high, without hiding, because I was doing the right thing,” according to a person who attended the event.

According to Hebrew media reports, Yaakobi is suspected of having asked a female police officer to request that another person remove certain messages on the Telegram app that were deemed detrimental to National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who appointed Yaakobi to his current role.

According to Ynet, the officer indicated to the third person that his career advancement would depend on him agreeing to the request.

Ben Gvir has come out in support of Yaakobi and accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of instigating “an attempted coup.”