QatarGate Indictment Decision Delayed Until After Elections

The State Prosecutor's Office and the Legal Advisor to the Government, Gali Baharav-Miara, had intended to file indictments in the "QatarGate" affair for some time, but current scheduling prevents this before the upcoming elections, i24NEWS reported Sunday evening. An initial decision had been made to indict Prime Minister's advisors Yonatan Uriach and Eli Feldstein, as well as close advisor Shmulik Einhorn. However, the process has been significantly delayed due to an event involving former Mossad chief Dedi Barnea.

Barnea reportedly made remarks against the case in a private conversation that was leaked shortly before his departure from the Mossad. This prompted the prosecution to request a new opinion from the Mossad. The subsequent opinion received did not support the initial assessment by the Legal Advisor and the State Prosecutor's Office, leading to repeated delays in the case's progression.

Baharav-Miara and the prosecution are willing to file the indictment even a week before the elections, but barring an unusual scheduling arrangement, it is now expected to occur after the elections. In June, i24NEWS commentator Avi Weiss reported that the prosecution was considering broad indictments in the QatarGate affair, potentially including a former senior Mossad official and retired Major General Poli Mordechai. The final decision from the Legal Advisor and the State Prosecutor is pending, in part, the completion of the Mossad's security assessment.

Previously, it was reported that Gufman would not handle the case due to a conflict of interest. The article also references reporting on guarantees received by a retired general from a lawyer who worked for Qatari organizations.