Israel Police detained Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former bureau chief, David Sharan, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of accepting bribes in the so-called submarine affair.
A court ordered him to remain in detention for five days.
Also detained include a former navy brigadier general and a media adviser. Police searched the suspects’ homes and offices, as well.
The State Attorney’s Office is expected to submit its response to a petition demanding the opening of a criminal investigation into Netanyahu later on Sunday.
Also known as the “Submarine Affair,” the scandal involves allegations of bribery in a more-than-billion-dollar submarine deal between Israel and Germany.
The prime minister is not a suspect in this case, but his personal lawyer, adviser and cousin is.
ThyssenKrupp, the German shipbuilder, is represented in Israel by Michael Ganor, the key suspect in the affair.
Alleged to have bribed high-ranking defense officials to advance the deal, Ganor signed an agreement in July to turn state’s evidence in the case.
In exchange for testifying against other suspects, he will serve one year in prison and be fined 10 million shekels ($2.8 million).
David Shimron, Netanyahu’s personal lawyer, adviser and cousin, also served as Ganor’s attorney.
