Interior Minister Arye Deri agreed for the first time this week to answer police questions about his alleged involvement in fraudulent activities that have been the subject of a nearly three-year-long investigation.
Deri was interrogated Thursday at the national police headquarters in Jerusalem for the first day of question-and-answer sessions expected to continue for several weeks.
Deri, who until now has insisted on his right to silence and refused to cooperate with police, is suspected of having transferred public funds illegally to religious organizations affiliated with Shas, the Orthodox Sephardic party which he heads.
Police also have questioned Deri’s personal financial transactions.
The investigation’s result may have significant political repercussions, given the governing coalition’s reliance on Shas as a partner.
Other Shas figures are also under investigation for suspected fraud.
Police ended Deri’s questioning Thursday after four hours, allowing him to return to his wife, who gave birth the previous day.
Police sources, as well as Deri himself, said the questioning was held in a “pleasant” atmosphere. They described this first interrogation as “the opening scene.”
The sources added that with an investigation as complex as this one, no judgments could be made after just one session.
Deri told reporters he had answered all questions and did not exercise his right to remain silent. He reiterated his belief that once the investigation is over, no charges will be pressed against him.
The next questioning session will be held Monday.
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