Top cop says he held details from public of investigation into PM’s wife

Israel Police Chief Roni Alsheich denounces the publication of the police statement that recommended bringing graft charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara.

In a statement, Alsheich says he opposed publicizing the Sunday police recommendation out of fears a potential criminal investigation into the allegations would be eclipsed by public debate.

Israel Police Chief Roni Alsheich attends a committee meeting in the Knesset on February 9, 2016 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Yesterday Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and Alsheich clashed over the issue, with each leveling accusations at each other over an apparent attempt to hide details of the police investigation.

The Sunday police statement said that an investigation into the prime minister’s “residences” had been completed and its conclusions were handed over to the state prosecutor. In a highly unusual move, however, the message did not include the name of the person under investigation or whether the police would recommend an indictment.