The police have opened a second investigation into the alleged misuse of funds by Religious Affairs Minister Avner Shaki, at the insistence of the state prosecutor.
A similar inquiry begun three months ago was dropped. But the prosecutor returned the file to the police with a request that they recheck it.
The minister, who heads the National Religious Party’s five-member Knesset faction, is suspected of using his authority to transfer ministerial funds to religious organizations run by family members or associates.
According to a report Monday in the daily Ma’ariv, some of the organizations used the funds for purposes unconnected with their activities.
But Shaki is not suspected of taking money for his personal use, Ma’ariv reported.
Nevertheless, Shaki was reported to have been questioned by police last Friday at a hotel in Tel Aviv. The minister denied the report. But Ma’ariv quoted a police officer involved in the investigation as saying the suspect was very nervous and wept.
Shaki was quoted as saying that “with the help of God” he would be cleared in the second investigation, as he was in the first.
He said he had no complaints against the police, who were “doing their job.” He hinted his troubles were caused by political rivals who resented his popularity within the NRP.
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