JERUSALEM (JTA) — The former Israeli envoy suspected of leaking information to Avigdor Lieberman regarding the investigation against him has been suspended.
Ze’ev Ben Aryeh, now the legal adviser to the Foreign Minister’s Office, was placed on an indefinite leave of absence without pay, according to reports.
Disciplinary action reportedly will be taken against him.
Police had asked the former ambassador to Belarus to help in the Lieberman corruption probe by questioning Belarus banks and government officials. Ben Aryeh is accused of turning a copy of the request over to Lieberman in October 2008.
Police say Ben Aryeh confessed to the allegations against him during questioning, according to Ynet.
The suspension came after the police turned over a report of criminal misconduct to the Civil Service Commission.
Lieberman is under suspicion of advancing Ben Aryeh’s position in the Foreign Ministry in exchange for the information.
Also Wednesday, Lieberman filed a petition with Israel’s Supreme Court to order the attorney general, the state attorney and the Police Investigations Division to explain why an internal investigation of leaks in his alleged corruption case had been closed.
The foreign minister called the leaks the "mother and father of all investigation disruptions."
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