Police flip former Israeli PM confidant into state witness

A deal was signed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former chief of staff and confidant Ari Harow Friday which will see him become a state witness in a string of ongoing investigations against Netanyahu involving alleged Benjamin Netanyahuand bribery, Ynet reported.

According to the details of the deal, Harow—himself facing charges of bribery, breach of trust, conflict of interest and fraudulently obtaining benefits—made his testimony conditional upon mitigating a punishment that would have entailed a prison sentence.

Harnessing that leverage against him, police managed to pressure Harow into accepting a deal according to which he will be convicted of breach of trust, serve a community service sentence lasting half a year—rather than prison sentence—and pay a fine of NIS 700,000.

"The witness will provide all information in his possession, the majority of which has been presented before the prosecution," a statement read by the Israel Police.

"In exchange, the state will agree—as part of a separate case in which the witness is being investigated and in which the state intends have him stand trial—that the witness will confess to the charges leveled against him and will be convicted of fraud and breach of trust," the statement added.

A gag order was placed on other details pertaining to the deal struck with Harow regarding Cases 1000 and 2000.

Source : Mena