An investigation by the Israeli police began in November 2016 regarding the possibility of a €430 million (USD $480 million) bribery scheme involving German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp.
Accusations were made that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private lawyer and second cousin, David Shimron, may have influenced Netanyahu’s decision to award the 2015 contract to ThyssenKrupp for four “Sa’ar 6 corvette” warships to be paid off over a period of five years despite receiving opposition from the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and ministry of defense officials.
The investigation was officially launched after evidence from a separate investigation was found involving former Deputy Director of the National Security Council, Avriel Bar-Yosef, who was suspected of taking bribes, conspiracy, breach of trust and money laundering.
The court ruling ordered Bar-Yosef’s detention as well as two other suspects, Michael Ganor and Ronen Shemer. Ganor, who is a former defense official and ThyssenKrupp’s Israeli representative, is also suspected of money laundering, conspiracy with criminal intent and fraud. Shimron is also Ganor’s personal attorney; however, both Netanyahu and Shimron denied knowing about the connection prior to the allegations being made.
For the full story, view: