Police: Sufficient evidence to indict former deputy national security advisor
Avriel Bar-Yosef, who was slated to become national security advisor, is suspected of promoting the interests of a German businessman in Israel's natural gas sector in return for bribes; Bar-Yosef's lawyer: 'We're confident that after the State Attorney's Office studies the case, it will find there is no reason to indict Bar-Yosef.'
There is sufficient evidence to charge former deputy national security advisor Avriel Bar-Yosef with bribery, fraud, breach of trust and money laundering, police said on Thursday.
Bar-Yosef is suspected of receiving bribes from a German businessman to promote his interests in the formulation of the natural gas plan.
The investigation began while Bar-Yosef was serving as the deputy head of the National Security Council and was being considered for the role of the national security advisor.
German businessman Michael Herzog allegedly invested 700,000 euros in a startup company founded by Bar-Yosef's daughter Dr. Hila Fogel, gave Bar-Yosef other benefits of similar value, as well as made him promises of future kickbacks.
In return, Bar-Yosef allegedly promoted Herzog's interests, including in the Zemach Committee that discussed the natural gas plan.
Among other things, Herzog flew Fogel to Berlin aboard a luxury private jet. At the time of the flight, it was discovered that he was involved in formulating Israeli government policy in the natural gas sector.
Bar-Yosef is suspected of using "security reasons" as a pretext to build a gas facility that cost billions of dollars, which benefited Herzog's business interests. This, despite objections from international experts in the gas field.
The probe was led by the police's Lahav 433 fraud investigations unit in conjunction with the Money Laundering Authority and the Economic Department at the State Attorney's Office.
"The sensitivity of the investigation, among other things, was due to the fact the suspect was slated to be appointed the national security advisor, a sensitive role with strategic influence on the national level," police said.
Bar-Yosef's lawyer, Jacques Chen, said in response, "The police's job is to investigate. The State Attorney's Office is to examine whether sufficient evidence exists to prosecute. We are confident that after the State Attorney's Office studies the case, it will find there is no reason to indict Bar-Yosef."
