Netanyahu’s ex-chief of staff arrested in submarines affair
Naftali, state prosecution fight over witness status in case of PM’s wife
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former chief of staff David Sharan was arrested on Sunday, suspected of bribery, fraud, breach of trust and conspiracy to commit a crime in the so-called “submarines affair.” It was reported that Israel Police extended his arrest to four days.
Attorney Eitan Maoz, who represents Sharan, said he has a rich record of public service, and that the subject he was questioned on is old.
“I do not understand why they are keeping him detained,” Maoz said. “If he wanted to disrupt the investigation, he could of done that a long time ago.”
Maoz also stressed that Sharan does not intend to become a state’s witness, neither was he offered a deal. He said that this kind of deal is impossible in light the nature of his questioning.
The submarines affair, or Case 3000 as it is known to police, is a corruption investigation into Israel’s purchase of German-made naval vessels, in which Netanyahu is not a suspect.
Judge Einat Ron from the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court, who issued the permission to extend the arrest, said a large amount of material has been gathered in Case 3000, and it is in its preliminary stages. She added that because of the nature of the complicated investigation, there are no alternatives to the procedure that involves making arrests.
Along with Sharan, two political strategists – Natan Mor and Tzachi Lieber – were also arrested. They are reportedly suspected of transferring bribe money to state officials.
Reports say Sharan was questioned over events that took place while he was serving under Yuval Steinitz, when he was Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman.
Netanyahu angered Sharan when he appointed him as his cabinet secretary but then rescinded the appointment, after a party celebrating the appointment indicated to the prime minister that Sharan was using the post as a stepping stone to a political career.
On Sunday, police arrested three more suspects, including a former commander of the Shayetet 13 elite naval commando unit, former OC Navy V.-Adm. (res.) Eliezer Marom, and other former high-ranking military officers.
It was reported that Marom, who was questioned in this case before, was released after the questioning. The former Shayetet 13 commander’s arrest was extended until Wednesday.
Channel 10 reported that in the next round of police questioning, active military officers might be summoned for questioning as well.
Police conducted searches in the suspects’ homes and offices to look for relevant documents. It is still unknown
whether police will ask to extend their detention.
Police stated that the six – Sharan, the strategists and the former officers – were questioned over finance-related and moral offenses.
Reports stated that this round of police questioning came in light of revelations made in Miki Ganor’s testimony.
Ganor was the Israeli representative of German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp and became a state’s witness in the affair in late July.
Ganor’s testimony focuses on deals he conducted with the Defense Ministry, but its details are under a gag order. It was reported that a senior police figure said Ganor “provides great material” for the investigation.
Channel 2 reported that former deputy national security adviser Atalia Rosenbaum was also questioned in the case. The main suspicion against her is that she leaked information from a National Security Council meeting to Ganor.
Ganor allegedly promised Rosenbaum to buy her an apartment – a promise he never delivered, according to the report.
Meanwhile, former prime minister’s house manager Meni Naftali and the state prosecution argued on Sunday over his status, and whether to label him a “state’s witness,” since he is expected to testify on behalf of the state against Sara Netanyahu if she is indicted in the prime minister’s residence affairs.
Naftali’s lawyer told the prosecution that Naftali “is not a state’s witness and never was a state’s witness. Even more, Mr. Naftali will not serve as a state’s witness and any such agreement or other inference for interpretation is hereby nullified.”
Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, Naftali explained that the Netanyahus, and even the state prosecution, are attacking his reputation by framing him as a state’s witness.
A state’s witness is generally arrested, interrogated and presented with the option by police that he can cooperate and receive lenient treatment, or face heavy jail time.
“They want to present me as a criminal” so they are calling him a state witness, even though he never referred to himself as a state’s witness.
In contrast, he said, he approached the police on his own initiative offering them evidence in the Sara Netanyahu cases in exchange for immunity, should any issue he raises also have an impact on him legally.
Naftali said this made him fundamentally different from a state’s witness, and that he should be treated differently on all levels.
Legally speaking, a “state’s witness” is given less credence by courts and requires supporting evidence to be the basis of a conviction.
The prosecution responded to Naftali citing a range of instances in which he and his lawyer referred to him as a state’s witness, as having immunity, or as having the immunity that state’s witnesses receive.
Ultimately, Naftali’s legal status when he testifies against Sara – should she be indicted – may have to be settled by the trial court.