Destination, duration of absence unknown; police say departure lawful and coordinated.
By JPOST.COM STAFFArkadi Gaydamak 88 298(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Russian born billionaire Arkadi Gaydamak reportedly left Israel to an unknown destination.
As exposed Friday morning by the Russian-Israeli Web site Newsru, the indebted Gaydamak left under a veil of secrecy. Police confirmed Friday afternoon that having deposited the 2.5 million dollars bond a court ordered him to, the ban preventing him from leaving the country had been removed. The police added that they were aware in advance of his approaching departure.
Gaydamak moved to Israel following a French extradition order for his alleged involvement in the sale of Russian arms to Angola from 1993-2000.
His party, Social Justice, recently participated in the local elections, with Gaydamak heading the list in the Jerusalem mayoral race. Gaydamak won only four percent of the vote, following which he declared his involvement in Israeli politics over. He is also well known in the Israeli public for his philanthropic endeavors and ownership of Betar Jerusalem Football Club.
The international tycoon has recently admitted to suffering heavy losses in his Israeli businesses, which he eventually terminated. He was also busy fending off various international financial suits. Gaydamak reportedly sold six penthouse apartments in Ramat Gan's Aviv Tower, as well as radio station Radio 99.
Social Justice party chairman Ya'akov Nordetsky said that in a recent conversation with Gaydamak, he received no indication of the latter's possible intent to leave indefinitely. Betar Jerusalem said that it expected Gaydamak to return to Israel.
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