Israel Prison Service Commissioner Faces New Charges in Ben-Gvir Associates Case

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is nearing a decision on the investigation into associates of Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, according to legal correspondent Avishai Grinzaig. A meeting held earlier this week with the Attorney General, the State Prosecutor, and other senior officials reportedly led to the consensus that Kobi Yaacobi, Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service (IPS), will face charges in two separate cases. The first case involves Superintendent Avishai Moalem, whom Yaacobi allegedly updated about a covert investigation. Yaacobi is to be charged with breach of trust and obstruction of justice in this matter. The second case stems from the first and concerns the alleged harassment of state's witness Lior Abudraham. Commander Alona Shushan, head of the Police Human Resources Division, will also face charges of witness harassment and obstruction of justice. She is accused of recording Abudraham boasting about his connections with investigators and prosecutors from the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), after which the recording device allegedly disappeared. Decisions regarding Yaacobi and Shushan are pending their right to a hearing. A final decision has not yet been made regarding Abudraham, who is suspected of verbally harassing Shushan. There is disagreement on the severity of Abudraham's actions and whether his resignation from the police is sufficient. Yaacobi's attorney, Uri Korb, stated that they have not yet received official notification and suggested the report is another leak, criticizing the timing of the decision just five days before elections. He argued that the investigation into the IPS commissioner, who he claims led a revolution in the prison service, is misplaced, especially given his prior complaints about Mahash's conduct, which he alleges involved improper relationships between Abudraham and Mahash officials. Attorneys for Shushan, Shani Illouz and Kobi Avital, stated that they have not been informed of any decision to indict her and will present their case if such a decision is made.