18 January 2019 – UPDATE
Effi Naveh, chairman of the Israel Bar Association announced his resignation on Thursday, amidst an investigation into allegations that he traded his influence as a member of the committee that appoints state’s judges in exchange for sex.
A judge released Nave to house arrest late Wednesday, refusing a police request to hold him in custody for three days. The police questioned a female magistrate’s court judge and a female lawyer. The magistrate who was questioned will reportedly take a leave of absence.
16 January 2019
A “senior figure” in Israel’s judiciary was arrested Wednesday in connection with a corruption scandal. Details of the case have been placed under strict gag order and the suspect’s name cannot be disclosed.
The main suspect was allegedly involved in the nomination of a female judge to a magistrate’s court several years ago, in exchange for sex. He is also suspected of having sexual relations with the wife of another judge, for helping her husband advance from a magistrate’s court to a district court position. But the plan that didn’t succeed. Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit has recused himself from the case due to a personal relationship with the main suspect. State Attorney Shai Nitzan will supervise the case in his stead.
The Israel Bar Association offices in Jerusalem were raided Wednesday by police and closed to the public, the Ynet news site reported.
The Bar Association Chairman Effi Naveh was indicted last month on suspicion that he smuggled a female acquaintance out the country for a trip abroad and then tried to slip her back unregistered through border control.
Justice Minister(in picture above) and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will be summoned to give testimony. Both are members of the Judicial Selection Committee.
