Israeli police arrest 2 Netanyahu aides over corruption, foreign agent allegations

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL

Israeli police on Monday arrested two aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicion of involvement in contact with a foreign agent, bribery, fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering.

“Under a gag order issued by the Rishon LeZion Magistrate’s Court, it is prohibited to publish any details related to the investigation, including its findings, the interrogation of suspects, or any evidence related to the case,” police said in a statement.

The gag order remains in effect until April 10.

However, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Netanyahu’s aides Yonatan Urich and Eli Fildstein, were arrested.

It added that “they are suspected of contact with a foreign agent, accepting bribes, fraud, breach of trust and money laundering.”

Investigators arrested them at their homes, and police are expected to request an extension of their detention, according to the newspaper.