Ex-Justice Ministry official faints at remand extension hearing
Police claims former Tel Aviv district attorney Ruth David staged her fainting spell; David is suspected of obstruction of justice in case against well-known Israeli attorney Ronel Fisher.
Former Tel Aviv district attorney Ruth David, who is suspected of obstruction of justice and in facilitating bribes in the Ronel Fisher affair, fainted at the entrance to the court on Friday ahead of her remand extension hearing.
She received medical treatment on the scene, and then taken to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center.
Ronel Fisher, a well-known Israeli attorney, is suspected of bribing police in return for information to help his clients.
The investigation into Fisher has led to a spate of arrests, including attorney Ruth David, former Maariv publisher Ofer Nimrodi and an as-yet unnamed businessman from a major company.
The hearing began in David's absence and a representative of the Police Investigate Unit, Dror Ta Shema, claimed David faked her fainting spell and that in the past, she told other suspects in the affair to do the same.
"The suspect fainted at the entrance to the court and was evacuated based on the recommendation of the medic who treated her," the police representative said. "This is likely an anxiety attack. Under these circumstances, I am compelled to tell the court that we believe this is an attempt to thwart the current remand extension."
David's attorney, Yair Golan, said the police's claims were outrageous.
"Attorney Ruth David, who finds herself in a very difficult situation, fainted at the entrance to the court in the presence of journalists, police investigators and a large crowd of people," Golan said. "The paramedic said she lost consciousness … I tried to make her talk and I could not understand her."
Judge Shmuel Herbst decided to extend David's remand until Sunday.
David is suspected of cooperating with Fisher in at least one case while she was in public office. In addition, David was allegedly one of those who enjoyed the $150,000 Fisher gave Alon Hassan.
The police internal investigations department suspects that she was involved in contacts with business people under investigation, and is suspected of leaking information that she received from Fisher. The investigation into her conduct began after approval from State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan.
David held senior posts in the Justice Ministry and was involved in the decision-making process for sensitive cases. She now works as a lawyer in a private practice and in recent years had business ties to Fisher.
According to a state witness, and information taken from Fisher's cell phone by police, she was also allegedly involved in some of the illegal activity committed by Fisher.
This week, Fisher had his remand extended by five days. Eran Malka, a retired police superintendant from the national fraud squad arrested for his alleged role in the affair, also had his remand extended. The investigation is also focusing on a judge, who according to Malka, had a troubling connection to Fisher.
Eli Senyor contributed to this report.
