PM’s son to be questioned in ongoing corruption probe

Police to collect testimony of Yair Netanyahu, which they say is pertinent to allegations of money-laundering involving his father

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City with his son Yair, a day after winning Knesset elections, on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 (photo credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son Yair will be summoned by police in the near future to give testimony on the investigation into corruption allegations against his father, Channel 10 reported Tuesday.

The television report cited “sources in law enforcement” saying that Yair’s testimony was considered relevant to the probe.

In July it was reported that the prime minister may also be called in for questioning, after Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit ordered a preliminary probe into accusations against Netanyahu. The investigation, which is subject to a partial gag order, involved suspicions of massive money laundering, Israeli media reported.

The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing and predicted the probe would be closed.

Ari Harow, former chief of staff of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at a Likud meeting in the Israeli parliament, November 24, 2014. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

In late July police released Ari Harow, a California-born former chief of staff of Netanyahu, after a week under house arrest.

Police are also investigating Netanyahu for financial corruption related to three other matters: longstanding allegations of illicit funding for foreign travel; claims that Netanyahu and his family inappropriately used public state funds for food and entertainment; and the accusation that he illegally received a large sum for political campaigning from French billionaire Arnaud Mimran.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing in all three affairs. His office said Tuesday the latest probe would yield nothing because nothing illicit had been done.

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