State Prosecutor Yehuda Weinstein is under enormous pressure to decide what action is to be taken in the ongoing case surrounding investigations against Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who allegedly is guilty of accepting bribes and engaging in money laundering.

With general elections rapidly approaching, expected to be held near the end of January 2013, the ongoing investigation against Lieberman is once again in the news. Amazingly, this will mark the fourth election in which Lieberman remains under investigation, in the same case, which for one reason or another does not lead to an indictment and is not closed.

While officials in Weinstein’s office are signaling there is sufficient evidence against the Yisrael Beitenu party leader to file a multi-count indictment, such a move has not been taken. Lieberman on several occasions has proclaimed his innocence and has called on Weinstein to indict him or close the case, stating it is preposterous to permit an investigation to drag for so many years. From Lieberman’s perspective the dragging investigation is nothing more than an effort to place a stumbling block in his political career by his opponents who are alarmed by his growing popularity and political success.

Weinstein has signaled that a decision is imminent, indicating an indictment is likely to be filed against the senior cabinet minister ahead of the upcoming general election.

The tentative date being reported for the general election is January 22, 2013.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)