Lupolianski. Keeping quiet?
Photo: Avi Moalem
Police: Lupolianski refusing to cooperate
Petah Tikva District Court denies appeal against former Jerusalem mayor's arrest in Holyland corruption affair
The Petah Tikva District Court on Friday denied an appeal filed by former Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski against his arrest
in the Holyland corruption affair.
Lupolianski's lawyer, Attorney Yair Golan, said during the discussion that the decision to keep his client in custody was "wrong – factually, legally and publicly." He added that the real question was whether the suspicions against the former mayor were real, in light of his behavior until the arrest, and whether there was a real fear that he would disrupt the investigation proceedings upon his release.
A police representative told the judges that the suspect was not cooperating with his investigators and was suspected of committing "very serious offences".
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Justice Avraham Tal ruled that no claims had been made that Lupolianski disrupted the investigation, but that such a fear was established due to the fact that he knows more today that he did before being questioned.
During the discussion, the police presented some confidential material, and Superintendent Lior Rice noted the Lupolianski was being held in a medical detention facility.
"The suspicions against the suspects are very serious," Rice said. "The suspect, who is supposed to be the 'doorman' and is trusted to protect the public interest and sits on various committees, breached this trust, demanded and received different payments from the contractors of the Holyland project, while advancing the project at the same time.
"Most of the bribes were disguised as donations to the Yad Sarah organization he led. These are the main payments," he said.
The officer added that Lupolianski's son received payments during the 2003 mayoral elections.
Raanan Ben-Zur contributed to this report
