Israeli police recommend indicting foreign minister

Gidon Belmaker

Following an investigation, the Israeli police on May 24 recommended indicting Israel』s foreign minister, Avigdor Liberman, and Israel』s former ambassador to Belarus, Ze』ev Ben Aryeh. The police say both men should be charged with a public breach of trust. They recommend Ben Aryeh face an additional charge of obstruction of justice.

According to investigators, during a separate investigation regarding Liberman, the police had asked for assistance from Belarus. The confidential information regarding that investigation came to Ben Aryeh because of his position at the time as ambassador in the Belarus capital of Minsk. Ben Aryeh then allegedly passed the confidential materials to Liberman.

Israeli police say that in Ben Aryeh』s case, they found sufficient evidence to recommend charges of obstruction of justice and breach of trust. In Liberman』s case, they have recommended charges for breach of trust.

A spokesperson for Liberman refused to comment.

The case will now be transferred to Israel』s attorney general.