Gaydamak gives testimony in forged document case

“I won’t let the persecution against me to continue; I’m strong enough to deal with it, and it is my duty as a citizen to protect myself,” Russian-Israeli business tycoon Arcadi Gaydamak said Sunday prior to his four-hour interrogation at the police’s anti-fraud unit.

'They’ll find something else to question me about.' Gaydamak (photo: Dana Kopel)  

Gaydamak was summoned to the unit’s Bat-Yam offices as part of an investigation that was launched recently into an official document signed by the Justice Ministry's supervisor of international affairs, which was allegedly forged.

The document in question, which said Gaydamak poses a threat due to his repeated statements against senior Israeli police, government and legal officials, was sent to Interpol in Russia and demanded details on the business mogul.

The police decided to probe the incident following a letter sent by State Prosecutor Eran Shendar, which revealed beyond any doubt that the document did not leave the Justice Ministry.

Gaydamak said the document clearly illustrates that he is being politically persecuted by the Israeli law enforcement authorities.

“The letter contains slanderous remarks against me,” Gaydamak said, “They’ll probably find something else to question me about.”

“What wrong have I done? I am only trying to do things for the benefit of the Israeli citizens. I merely criticized the government and spoke my mind – this is the right of every citizen,” he said.

The tycoon recently distributed a letter slamming Israel Police and accusing the force of launching investigations against him “at the citizens’ expense.”

Aviram Zino contributed to the report