Senior Israeli authorities under corruption probe

Thirty senior Israeli figures, including Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum and former Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov, have been brought in for investigation for involvement in corruption, according to Arutz Sheva.

A gag order was released on the case Wednesday morning, revealing that the suspects apparently illegally allocated budgets to NPOs and different sources, transferred funds to regional council organizations, and laundered money through "straw company" fronts.

Likewise the suspects are thought to have given bribes and benefits, as well as having appointed and advanced the interests of their associates.

Searches were conducted on their homes and offices, and computers and documents were also seized as part of the investigation.

The female deputy minister is suspected of transferring bribes to NPOs, and as noted other suspects include a former minister, regional council heads, directors of governmental offices, heads of NPOs, senior figures in public corporations, and political activists.

Other senior figures are expected to be summoned to give testimony.

The investigation was coordinated from the beginning with the attorney general and police commissioner.

Depending on the development of the investigation, the suspects will be brought for a discussion on the extension of their detention on Wednesday afternoon at the Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court.