Shas MK caught with tens of thousands of shekels at airport
MK Amsellem tries to evade customs check at Ben Gurion, found to be carrying sum exceeding that allowed by law
MK Chaim Amsellem (Shas) was caught at the Ben Gurion Airport Monday with a bag containing tens f thousands of shekels. The suitcase and the money were confiscated by customs officials, after Amsellem failed to declare the funds as required by law.
The law stipulates that any person carrying more than NIS 80,000 upon entering the country must declare this during the customs check at the airport.
However, although MK Amsellem was carrying a larger sum, he attempted to go through the "Green Line" and avoid a customs check.
The Shas MK was detained by customs officials, who asked him to explain where he got the money, and why he failed to report it.
Amsellem's assistant, Asher Shitrit, refused to account for the money's origin, and added that the matter was a mere "technical problem" that was being taken care of with the authorities. He said that Amsellem would do his best to settle the affair.
He said that the MK did not know he was bringing in more money than permitted by law, and that the sum was only slightly higher than NIS 80,000.
Amnon Meranda contributed to this report
