Former Yisrael Beitenu party Minister of Tourism Stas Misezhnikov, who was convicted of fraud, entered prison on Sunday, 29 Kislev. He will be serving a 15-month prison term. The former minister also has a six month probation period and is required to pay a fine of NIS 70,000.

Dozens of suspects affiliated with the Yisrael Beitenu party headed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman were linked to law-breaking including money laundering, bribery and breach of trust. This includes former Deputy Minister of the Interior Fania Kirschenbaum. The investigation was made public by authorities in December 2014.

Misezhnikov was initially also charged with bribery, disruption of proceedings and possession and use of an illegal narcotic (cocaine). These charges were retracted of as part of the plea deal.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)