Top suspects in Case 3000 released to house arrest
The case has continued to unfold as the summer wears on, with more than one individual turning state's witness.
By UDI SHAHAMThe Dolphin-class submarine first entered service in 2000(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)
Former minister Eliezer “Modi” Zandberg and former commander of the Israel Navy commando unit Brig.-Gen. (res.) Shai Brosh were released on Wednesday to 10-days’ house arrest in police investigation Case 3000, which was also dubbed the “submarine affair.”National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz’s political adviser Rami Tayeb was also released by the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court with similar conditions.The three had to post bail and sign an agreement that they would not contact anyone involved in the investigation.The court extended by four days the remand of Natan Mor, the political strategist who was arrested earlier this week.It was reported that it is suspected that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former chief of staff David Sharan received some NIS 30,000 cash through Mor and his partner Tzachi Lieber, who was arrested as well in the current round of the investigation.Case 3000 is a police corruption investigation into Israel’s purchase of German- made naval vessels. Miki Ganor was the Israel representative of German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp and became a state’s witness in late July.Reports claim that the latest developments in the investigation are a result of Ganor’s testimony.Earlier on Wednesday Ganor fainted, was rushed to the hospital, and was later released.Meanwhile, Channel 2 News reported that during his questioning, international movie mogul Arnon Milchan confirmed the claims that he often delivered gifts such as champagnes, cigars and jewelry to Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, but denied that he got anything in return.On Tuesday it was reported that Milchan was questioned under caution last week in London, under suspicion that he bribed Netanyahu.
“The gifts were given without any expectations for return. It was given as part of our relationship that was going on for years,” he reportedly said.Milchan already testified twice in the Case 1000 investigation, which was dubbed the “gifts affair,” but it’s the first time that Milchan was described as a suspect.Other reports said senior officials in the police thought it would be difficult to indict Netanyahu for bribery while the person giving the bribe is not a suspect, and that led them to question Milchan.
