Ten suspects were arrested on Monday morning by Israeli police on charges of corruption, including a mayor of a city in northern Israel, a local council head and an aide to a cabinet minister. Nine others were detained for investigation.

A special unit of the Lahav 433 unit which deals with financial offenses has been carrying out a prolonged investigation into a series of corruption cases that resulted in the arrests. The undercover investigations found evidence of bribery, fraud, money laundering and fraud.

Although police did not publish the names of those arrested, the location or other reports, Israeli media reports say that municipal officials are suspected of accepting bribes from Haifa contractors for construction jobs.

A police spokesperson stated that “As part of the investigation, it was suspected that senior civil servants, along with others, allegedly committed corruption offenses involving influential companies in government companies and institutions.

“The findings of the investigation show that the suspects worked to advance their business affairs – while committing criminal offenses – and influence decision-makers in government companies to advance their affairs.

“It was also suspected that senior officials in local authorities and even in government offices were also allegedly involved in promoting the interests of suspects in exchange for bribes or other improper motives. Among those involved who were detained were two senior public figures in local government.”

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(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)