Interior Minister Deri questioned by police over graft investigation

Deri was sentenced to a three-year jail sentence in 2000.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: MAY 28, 2017 02:52
Aryeh Deri is escorted by policemen as he walks out of prison in 2002, after serving two years of a three-year sentence for corruption (photo credit: REUTERS)
Aryeh Deri is escorted by policemen as he walks out of prison in 2002, after serving two years of a three-year sentence for corruption
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Interior Minister Arye Deri (Shas) has been summoned for questioning by the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 unit over an ongoing investigation into real estate and tax fraud, Israel Hayom reported on Friday.
The police were reportedly ready for the questioning prior to Friday, but delayed it until after the visit of US President Donald Trump, which required the full efforts of the police to secure.
The case focuses on how the Deri family purchased a luxurious vacation villa in the Upper Galilee village of Kfar Hoshen, also known as Safsufa.
Deri was sentenced to a three-year jail sentence in 2000 after being convicted of taking bribes in the amount of $155,000 during his position as interior minister. Deri was released after serving 22 months in prison.