Israeli billionaire Arnon Milchan was questioned under caution this week on suspicion of giving bribes to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu, signalling the latest development in what is referred to as Case 1000.
Milchan has already provided open testimony twice in the recent past during his visit to Israel following suspicions which arose that he gave the prime minister and his wife bribes in the form of expensive gifts including champagne, cigars and jewelry.
But during that time, he was never officially suspected of any wrongdoing.
With the latest round of questioning of the Israeli magnate in London, Milchan became a suspect following complaints put forth by investigators that Netanyahu, who is suspected of accepting bribes and corruption, could hardly be indicted if the individual responsible for handing out the bribes was not made an official suspect.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has stuck to the claim that any gifts given by Milchan were done so in friendship and entirely bereft of political motivations.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, speaking last week at The Bar Association Law Conference, said: “The investigations are done professionally and thoroughly, without cutting corners.
It is important to emphasize that on the note of public interest, law enforcement is not a political matter.
It cannot be influenced by outside considerations when it comes to criminal procedures.
This has never happened, it isn’t happening and it won’t happen.”
