Israel Radio reported at noon on Monday that the prosecutor involved in the case involving Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto and senior Israel Police commanders has been instructed to hold off with an indictment against Rabbi Pinto as the state is trying to cut a deal with him to become a state witness. Pinto will give testimony against senior police commanders, including the head of the 433 unit, Menashe Arbiv. The report adds the prosecutor has quit the case as a result.

It appears the prosecutor assigned to the case, Eli Schwartz, is adamantly opposed to cutting a deal with Rabbi Pinto, preferring to file an indictment against him too for his alleged criminal activities. The Israel Radio report adds that Schwartz is a seasoned prosecutor with a wealth of experience in prosecuting fraud cases.

In the coming days, meetings on the Pinto case will be taking place including senior officials in the state prosecution, and Schwartz, and a final determination is yet to be announced.

In a press conference held on Sunday 9 Adar I 5774, the head of Israel Police’s elite 433 Investigations Unit Menashe Arbiv announced he is resigning from the police force. Arbiv is suspected of accepting bribes.

Arbiv told the press “I can’t take it anymore. The judicial system is tar and feathering me.” He accused Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein of working to close a deal with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, granting him some form of immunity in exchange for testimony against him [Arbiv]. Arbiv’s lawyer first indicated that his client was taking a leave of absence pending the outcome of the case but it appears the senior officer has decided to leave the department.

The case that is building is based on testimony and evidence gathered during recent weeks, and apparently Weinstein prefers to cut a deal with the rabbi and go after Arbiv, who is suspected of accepting considerable sums in the form of bribes. If Weinstein does opt for this route he will most likely at some point have to explain his actions to the Supreme Court, for Arbiv’s attorneys are not about to permit the senior commander to become the victim when they feel the situation should be reversed, and the major indictment should be filed against Rabbi Pinto.

People close to Rabbi Pinto explain Arbiv’s resignation is a tactical move intended on trying to persuade authorities and the public that he is clean and that Weinstein should be after the rabbi. They add that in reality, Weinstein has decided to finally address corruption among senior Israel Police officials, and that is what is taking place.

Attorney Roniel Fischer, who represents Israel Police Brigadier-General Ephraim Bracha says “the decision by Arbiv to quit was unnecessary and cause for sorrow but whatever the case may be, it has no connection to his client in any way. Bracha filed a complaint against Rabbi Pinto and the state will decide if it wishes to follow up against Rabbi Pinto after draft indictments have already been prepared.”

Officials in the Ministry of Justice decline to comment on the case. It is difficult to know just where the Pinto case will lead as it spans borders to the US, where there has been FBI involvement as well as the involvement of US Rep Michael Grimm.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)