Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TELAVIV1717
2009-08-03 14:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:
POLICE FORMALLY RECOMMEND INDICTMENT OF FOREIGN
how-toVZCZCXRO3413 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHTV #1717 2151430 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 031430Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2889 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS TEL AVIV 001717
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IS
SUBJECT: POLICE FORMALLY RECOMMEND INDICTMENT OF FOREIGN
MINISTER LIBERMAN
REF: A. TEL AVIV 01579
B. TEL AVIV 01437
C. TEL AVIV 01337
UNCLAS TEL AVIV 001717
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IS
SUBJECT: POLICE FORMALLY RECOMMEND INDICTMENT OF FOREIGN
MINISTER LIBERMAN
REF: A. TEL AVIV 01579
B. TEL AVIV 01437
C. TEL AVIV 01337
1. (SBU) Israeli police on August 2 recommended to Attorney General
Menachem Mazuz that he indict Foreign Minister Avidgor Liberman on
charges of bribery, money laundering, obstruction of justice, fraud,
and breach of trust. The recommendation followed an eight-year
investigation into Lieberman's business activities. Mazuz is
expected to make a decision in approximately two months on whether to
indict the Yisrael Beitenu leader. Liberman's immediate reaction was
to accuse the police of persecuting him, and he suggested there were
political motivations behind the investigation. On August 3,
however, Liberman told a meeting of his faction that his conscience
was clear and that he did not expect an indictment, but that if
indicted he would immediately resign from his ministry, and within
three to five months he would also resign from the Knesset and from
his position as party chairman.
2. (SBU) The Israeli press covered the developments closely this
weekend, but there was no media frenzy, as the police recommendation
was widely expected. Pundits are speculating as to who would take
over for Liberman should he resign, but it is largely a guessing
game. Liberman's influence over the party is so pervasive that his
colleagues are reluctant to speak of a "day after." The assessments
we provided in ref cables are still valid, and we will update as
events warrant.
MORENO
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV IS
SUBJECT: POLICE FORMALLY RECOMMEND INDICTMENT OF FOREIGN
MINISTER LIBERMAN
REF: A. TEL AVIV 01579
B. TEL AVIV 01437
C. TEL AVIV 01337
1. (SBU) Israeli police on August 2 recommended to Attorney General
Menachem Mazuz that he indict Foreign Minister Avidgor Liberman on
charges of bribery, money laundering, obstruction of justice, fraud,
and breach of trust. The recommendation followed an eight-year
investigation into Lieberman's business activities. Mazuz is
expected to make a decision in approximately two months on whether to
indict the Yisrael Beitenu leader. Liberman's immediate reaction was
to accuse the police of persecuting him, and he suggested there were
political motivations behind the investigation. On August 3,
however, Liberman told a meeting of his faction that his conscience
was clear and that he did not expect an indictment, but that if
indicted he would immediately resign from his ministry, and within
three to five months he would also resign from the Knesset and from
his position as party chairman.
2. (SBU) The Israeli press covered the developments closely this
weekend, but there was no media frenzy, as the police recommendation
was widely expected. Pundits are speculating as to who would take
over for Liberman should he resign, but it is largely a guessing
game. Liberman's influence over the party is so pervasive that his
colleagues are reluctant to speak of a "day after." The assessments
we provided in ref cables are still valid, and we will update as
events warrant.
MORENO