Mayor's Wife Claims Ignorance, Cites Severe Emotional Distress
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Meital Saar, wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, is under investigation for severe corruption and has invoked her right to silence, stating only that her husband "didn't know." Her attorney cited her "very severe emotional distress" as the reason for her limited cooperation. The couple's detention was extended by four days as investigators examine allegations of bribery and tender manipulation, with the probe also involving known criminals.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Meital Saar, wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, is under investigation for severe corruption.
- She has invoked her right to silence, stating only that her husband "didn't know."
- Her attorney cited "very severe emotional distress" and significant weight loss.
- The couple's detention was extended by four days by a Rishon LeZion court.
- The investigation involves allegations of bribery, fraud, and tender manipulation.
- Known criminal figures from central Israel are reportedly involved in the bribery scheme.
Meital Saar, wife of Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Saar, is cooperating with investigators in a corruption probe by the National Fraud Unit at Lahav 433, but only to a limited extent. According to Ynet, Saar has stated only one sentence to investigators: "He didn't know," an attempt to distance her husband from the alleged severe corruption. She has otherwise invoked her right to remain silent.
Her attorney, Haya Tzion Zakkai, confirmed Saar is acting on legal advice, stating her client is in "very severe emotional distress" and unable to answer questions. Earlier this week, a Rishon LeZion court extended the detention of both the mayor and his wife for four days to allow police to complete further investigative actions.
The investigation, which began after over a year of covert surveillance, focuses on suspicions of serious offenses including bribery, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and tax offenses. Investigators suspect the mayor, the CEO of the economic company, and Meital Saar were involved in benefiting certain parties in exchange for cash bribes, primarily by manipulating tenders to ensure the win of those offering bribes.
Sources close to the investigation describe the case as "sensitive, explosive, and very complex," with forensic accountants and economists meticulously examining every shekel transferred to the mayor or his associates. During a court hearing, Meital Saar reportedly broke down in tears, with her attorney noting she had lost five kilograms and was in severe emotional distress. The defense requested alternative measures to detention, while those close to the investigation report progress satisfactory to the investigators. The probe has also uncovered the involvement of known criminal figures from central Israel in the bribery mechanism.