Senior Shin Bet officials said investigated for sexual assault
Decision to open probe comes after female employee of security agency who filed complaint testifies, undergoes polygraph
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The Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department has reportedly opened an investigation into three senior officials at the Shin Bet security agency suspected of sexual assault and harassment.
The decision to open the investigation was made after a female employee at the Shin Bet provided testimony to investigators and underwent a polygraph exam, Hadashot news (formerly Channel 2) reported Monday.
According to the report, two of the officials are suspected of rape, while the third — who it described as “very senior — is suspected of sexual harassment and indecent acts.
The complaint against the three was filed earlier this month by the woman, who along with another Shin Bet employee has been indicted for fraud and theft.
In her testimony, the woman said the alleged sexual harassment went on for years and occurred at both Shin Bet facilities and outside events. She also gave investigators her cellphone, on which are incriminating text messages from the officials, the report said.
The female Shin Bet employee’s lawyer denied there was any connection between his client’s decision to file a complaint and the indictment against her.
“The complaint is genuine and truthful [and] is supported by strong evidence,” said Moshe Yohai.
The Shin Bet said in response to the report it is not aware of the allegations.
The Times of Israel Community.