The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
67°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Ex-aide to Israeli PM arrested in submarine probe

Egyptian marines stand on the deck of an S42 submarine manufactured by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the Egyptian navy during a ceremonial handover of the vessel in the Baltic Sea harbor of Kiel, Germany, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017. (Christian Charisius / Associated Press)

JERUSALEM – Israeli police said Sunday that they arrested six people, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s former chief of staff and a former navy commander, as part of an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the purchase of German submarines.

David Sharan, an American-born former Netanyahu aide, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of accepting bribes, fraud, breach of trust and conspiracy. A court extended Sharan’s detention by five days. Three other suspects’ remands were extended as well.

Sunday’s arrests, including of Eliezer Marom, the retired head of the Israeli navy, are the latest in a probe into suspected corruption surrounding the $2 billion deal with German manufacturer Thyssenkrupp.

Netanyahu is not a suspect in the case, but his personal lawyer, who is also his cousin, is involved. David Shimron was placed under house arrest last month after he was questioned by police, but has since been released.

Police have questioned Netanyahu over separate corruption allegations. He has denied any wrongdoing.