The close associate of Transport Minister Yisrael Katz, who was questioned in Lahav 433 regarding the affair of corruption in Rishon L’Tzion, is his bureau chief Idan Peretz, who also served as his personal assistant.

Peretz was released under restrictive conditions after being questioned in the case known as ‘1803’, and he too was questioned under warning on suspicion of trying to advance matters related to the contractor who worked with the Hod HaSharon municipality. His political patron, Minister Yisrael Katz himself, is not suspected in this case.

Members of the Jiroushi crime family, Hussam and Adnan, who were arrested in the extensive affair, denied any connection to coalition chairman David Bitan, one of the main suspects in the affair, and said: “We gave nothing to Bitan”, adding, “It is all a bunch of lies. We were held hostage till they found the name Bitan. We have no connection to him. I saw him once in my entire life and that is it, a long time ago, and by chance”.

The court once again extended the remand of Rishon L’Tzion Mayor Dov Tzur for an additional five days following which he will be released to ten days of house arrest. He is prohibited from nearing or entering City Hall. He is facing allegations of fraud, bribery and breech of trust. His assistant, Yossi Chamimi, as well as deputy Mayor Eyal Mushyoub remain in jail for another five days and they too will then be sent to house arrest.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)