Head of the Israeli Interior Ministry arrested in bribery case

Head of the Israeli Interior Ministry arrested in bribery case

2010-10-19 07:56:34 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (BNO NEWS) -- The Israeli Director-General of the Interior Ministry, Gabi Maimon, on Monday was arrested along with seven others on suspicion of being involved in real estate bribery and money launder in affair.

The arrests stemmed from a bribery investigation in the town of Yad Binyamin, near Gadera. The other seven detainees include Mate Yosef Regional Council Head Eli Eksozido.

Following the end of the undercover investigation which was led by the National Economic Crimes Unit, an arrest operation was launched. The operation focused on five plots of land and it was much smaller in comparison to the Holyland bribery affair.

Maimon was a long-time ally and close friend of Interior Minister and Shas chairman Eli Yishai. A Shas Party spokesman for Yishai declined to comment on the matter.

One suspect, Ofer Guetta, was held in custody by the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court until Tuesday evening. Another co-defendant, Shoshana Friedman, was released and ordered to house arrest.

Guetta's attorney said that he was suspected of illegally plotting with another suspect to apply for two tenders, when the terms of the tender limit each individual to one application.

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