Public security minister asks police not to update him on Lieberman probe

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
The new Public Security Minister, Yitzhak Aharanovitch, asked police on Thursday not to provide him with any details over the progress of the criminal investigation against Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. The request will be welcomed by police brass as a signal of Aharanovitch's neutrality and lack of intention to interfere with the investigation, amid continued tensions between Lieberman and the police. Lieberman, who heads Aharanovitch's Yisrael Beitenu party, is being investigated over suspicions of money laundering. In a meeting with Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. David Cohen, Aharanovitch said he did not want to be briefed on any investigations into public officials, adding, "I am aware of the fact that this order already exists. To remove all doubt I am asking for it to be adhered to closely."