Ben-Arieh. Confessed
Photo: Alexandra Tolochko
Lieberman. Received information?
Photo: Ohad Zoigenberg
Ex-ambassador suspended for leaking to Lieberman
Zeev Ben-Arieh, suspected of informing foreign minister on probe against him, goes on forced leave
The former ambassador to Belarus, Zeev Ben-Arieh, has been placed on unlimited forced leave without pay and disciplinary measures will be taken against him, Ynet learned Wednesday.
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Police handed a report on Ben-Arieh to the Civil Service Commission on Wednesday, which describes the accusations. After consultations that took place between the commission and the Foreign Ministry Ben-Arieh, who currently serves as an advisor to Lieberman, was suspended.
Police say the former ambassador confessed to the allegations against him during questioning.
Investigators say that during the period Lieberman was serving as a Knesset member, in 2008, Ben-Arieh received a request to transfer a document directly and discreetly from the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem to the authorities in Belarus regarding Lieberman's investigation.
The document was first handed to the Justice Ministry by Israel Police. It contained a request for legal assistance from the certified authorities in Belarus and outlined significant details regarding the
investigation, including issues for which assistance was requested.
The ambassador reportedly copied the classified information detailed in the request ahead of Lieberman's visit to Belarus a year and a half ago. He then informed Lieberman of the request and illegally passed it on to him when the two met during the said visit.
