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Israeli minister probed for graft charges again

Xinhua, March 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Israeli authorities have opened an investigation into corruption allegations against Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, who had already served time in jail for graft, officials said Wednesday.

On his social media account, Deri himself confirmed that he is under investigation. He said he has asked the attorney-general to lift a gag order on the publication of his name and he was prepared to "answer any question."

A statement on behalf of the Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit confirmed the probe, adding that Deri has not been summoned for investigation yet.

Reports on the investigation into a second unidentified senior politician emerged Tuesday by Channel 2 TV news.

On Wednesday, Ha'aretz newspaper reported that a second unnamed minister is under investigation in the same affair.

Deri, 57, was the leader of Sephardic ultra-Orthodox party Shas, a vital part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's narrow right-wing coalition.

He became the interior minister in January, after the former minister, Silvan Shalom, stepped down amidst allegations of sexual harassment.

Deri served as interior minister in early 1990's and was forced to resign in 1993 over corruption charges. He was found guilty of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and served a prison sentence between 2000 and 2003. Endit