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Israeli authorities investigating French tycoon's alleged donation to PM Netanyahu

Xinhua, June 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Israeli authorities said on Monday they have opened a probe into a French businessman's claim that he gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about 1 million euros (about 1.1 million U.S. dollars.)

A statement by the Justice Ministry said that the office of the Attorney General is reviewing a testimony by Arnaut Mimran in France, according to which he financed Netanyahu's 2009 election campaign. Such sums are considered as a violation of Israel's campaign finance law.

Mimran is a key suspect in a massive fraud case, involving the sale of carbon credits, in France.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not deny a contribution by Mimran, but said that any money transfer was done in accordance with the law.

"Mimran contributed to Netanyahu's public activity in early 2000, when Mr. Netanyahu was a private citizen and held no political post," the statement read.

"Mimran, who is on trial for fraud amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, is trying to divert attention from his trial through further deception," the office said. Endit