Report indicates collusion between judge, investigator in Bezeq corruption probe

Channel 10 news has obtained a copy of a WhatsApp chat that appears to show the judge in the Bezeq corruption probe deciding together with an investigator on holding suspects, even before their hearings.

In the chat, an investigator from the Israel Securities Authority tells Judge Ronit Poznansky-Katz  that he intends to request the judge hold some of the suspects in the Bezeq probe for a few more days, while another can “be released tomorrow.”

“Try and act surprised,” he writes.

“I’m practicing my surprised face,” she responds.

In another chat he writes: “Stella (Handler) and Iris (Elovitch), we will tomorrow ask for a few more days.”

“The will request three days, but you can definitely, but definitely give two days,” he says.

“You continue to reveal everything to me and I will have to act really really surprised,” she responds.

All this takes place before the remand hearing, where the suspects are supposed to be able to make their case before the judge decides.

A courts response said this was part of the normal coordination between the judge, who has long been involved in the case and an investigator.

The ISA had no immediate comment.