Politics
21:46, 07-Dec-2018
Netanyahu's wife grilled on new fraud allegation
Updated
21:19, 10-Dec-2018
["china"]
Share
Copied
Police questioned Sara Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, on Friday on a new round of suspicions that the couple have misused public funds, Israeli media reported.
Public radio said that Sara Netanyahu arrived at the headquarters of the National Fraud Squad near Tel Aviv late in the morning.
There has been no statement from the police, who issued statements about the pair on previous occasions once the day's questioning was over.
This is the third accusation against them in recent months.
Netanyahu denied the accusations, but the cases against him have led to speculation that they could eventually force the long-serving prime minister to step down.
Sara Netanyahu went on trial in October for allegedly using state funds to fraudulently pay for hundreds of meals.
Haaretz said on Friday that the latest allegations against her relates to a fraudulent presentation of receipts for charitable donations to a government watchdog.
It said that if the suspicions are verified, they would be added to the already evidence against her.
The case put forward by police on Sunday is a separate matter, which centers on regulatory benefits allegedly granted to telecommunications firm Bezeq in exchange for positive coverage of Netanyahu from a related media company.
Police in February recommended indicting Netanyahu in two other corruption investigations, but it's up to the attorney general to decide whether to file charges.
In the findings announced Sunday following a long-running investigation, police said there was evidence to indict Netanyahu with bribery, fraud, breach of trust and unlawful acceptance and they recommended Sara Netanyahu go on trial for bribery, fraud, breach of trust and obstruction of justice.
The recommendations in February involved separate cases of alleged bribery.
In one, allegations against Netanyahu include seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper, Yediot Aharonot, to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival.
The other case involves suspicions the prime minister and his family received luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or personal favors.
The alleged gifts, including cigars, jewelry, and champagne, had an estimated value of around one million shekels (270,000 U.S. dollars), police said.
Netanyahu has been prime minister for more than 12 years. First from 1996 to 1999 and again since 2009.
Polls suggested he would still win if elections were to be held now despite the accusations.
He is not legally required to step down if indicted, only if he is convicted with all avenues for appeal exhausted.
(With inputs from AFP)