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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Israeli FM questioned over fraud | Israeli FM questioned over fraud |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Israel's new Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, has been questioned by police for at least seven hours over corruption allegations. | Israel's new Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, has been questioned by police for at least seven hours over corruption allegations. |
| Police said Mr Lieberman was questioned under caution on suspicion of "bribery, money-laundering and breach of trust" as part of an ongoing investigation. | Police said Mr Lieberman was questioned under caution on suspicion of "bribery, money-laundering and breach of trust" as part of an ongoing investigation. |
| Mr Lieberman was sworn in as foreign minister on Tuesday. | Mr Lieberman was sworn in as foreign minister on Tuesday. |
| He has previously denied any wrong-doing and says the corruption probe against him is politically motivated. | He has previously denied any wrong-doing and says the corruption probe against him is politically motivated. |
| Police confirmed that the interview had been scheduled in advance with Mr Lieberman. | Police confirmed that the interview had been scheduled in advance with Mr Lieberman. |
| Micky Rosenfeld, a police spokesman, said Mr Lieberman had been questioned over the long-standing investigation into his business dealings, the Associated Press reported. | Micky Rosenfeld, a police spokesman, said Mr Lieberman had been questioned over the long-standing investigation into his business dealings, the Associated Press reported. |
| The accusations are believed to relate to a company run by Mr Lieberman's daughter. | The accusations are believed to relate to a company run by Mr Lieberman's daughter. |
| A spokesman for Mr Lieberman said it was "the same investigation that has been ongoing for the past 13 years and which he has petitioned the courts to have speeded up. | A spokesman for Mr Lieberman said it was "the same investigation that has been ongoing for the past 13 years and which he has petitioned the courts to have speeded up. |
| "He co-operated fully with police investigators and answered all their questions and enjoyed drinking their coffee," said the unnamed spokesman. | "He co-operated fully with police investigators and answered all their questions and enjoyed drinking their coffee," said the unnamed spokesman. |
| Controversy | Controversy |
| Mr Lieberman, an ultra-nationalist, is one of Israel's most outspoken politicians. | Mr Lieberman, an ultra-nationalist, is one of Israel's most outspoken politicians. |
| Livni condemns new leaders Palestinian talks suspended Musician ordered out of West Bank Profile: Avigdor Lieberman | |
| He was a controversial choice for a leading ministerial post in the government of right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu, which was sworn in on Tuesday. | He was a controversial choice for a leading ministerial post in the government of right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu, which was sworn in on Tuesday. |
| As he assumed office, Mr Lieberman raised concerns among some people by saying Israel was not bound by a US-sponsored 2007 agreement to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. | As he assumed office, Mr Lieberman raised concerns among some people by saying Israel was not bound by a US-sponsored 2007 agreement to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. |
| Palestinian officials described him as an "obstacle to peace" whose policies would rebound negatively on Israel. | Palestinian officials described him as an "obstacle to peace" whose policies would rebound negatively on Israel. |
| Israel's former chief peace negotiator, and Mr Lieberman's predecessor as foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, said the remarks showed that the government would not be a partner for peace with the Palestinians. | Israel's former chief peace negotiator, and Mr Lieberman's predecessor as foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, said the remarks showed that the government would not be a partner for peace with the Palestinians. |
| The BBC's Jo Floto in Jerusalem says Mr Lieberman's supporters are unlikely to be troubled by the police interest in him. | The BBC's Jo Floto in Jerusalem says Mr Lieberman's supporters are unlikely to be troubled by the police interest in him. |
| But Wednesday's questioning will do nothing to reassure those people who believe Mr Lieberman is an unsuitable choice for such a prominent role in the Israeli administration, says our correspondent. | But Wednesday's questioning will do nothing to reassure those people who believe Mr Lieberman is an unsuitable choice for such a prominent role in the Israeli administration, says our correspondent. |