Israeli court releases most suspects in alleged election bribery case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 18:08 · Archive

An Israeli court has released two of three suspects arrested in an alleged voter bribery case, criticising the investigation.

Israeli police released two of three suspects on Sunday in a case of alleged voter bribery connected to parliamentary elections held on 27 October. A judge criticised the investigation and rejected police requests for further restrictions on one of the released men. One suspect was released subject to unspecified conditions, another was ordered to remain on house arrest for eight days, and detention of the third suspect was extended for two days.

The arrests involved political activists found with envelopes of cash allegedly intended to bribe voters. Police said the suspects were connected to the Islamist party Ra'am, which denied involvement. Four more suspects were arrested two days after the initial three.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party alleged without evidence that Arab-led parties had 'stolen' the election, citing the bribery cases as evidence. Netanyahu's bloc lost its majority in parliament, dropping to 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset from a peak of 68 in the outgoing parliament. Mansour Abbas, leader of Ra'am which captured eight seats, denounced the arrests as undemocratic and 'an attempt to influence the election results.'

How it is being reported

• Most suspects released after Israeli court says no evidence for accusation of bribery in electionIsraeli police have released two of three suspects in an alleged voter bribery case.Clickorlando · 1 Nov, 17:36
• Most suspects released after Israeli court says no evidence for accusation of bribery in electionIsraeli police have released two of three suspects in an alleged voter bribery case.News4Jax · 1 Nov, 17:36

In this story: Benjamin Netanyahu · Mansour Abbas · Likud · Ra'am · Israel · Knesset

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