Israeli Computer Company Ability Indicted for Smuggling Worth 35 Million Shekels

On August 20, 2024, the Economic Department of the State Attorney's Office filed an indictment against Ability Computer and Software Industries Ltd. and two of its executives at the Magistrate's Court in Rishon Lezion. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the Defense Export Control Authority, Lahav 433's Yahalom Unit, the Foreign Trade Security Division, and the Customs and VAT Investigations Department of the Israel Tax Authority. The suspects are accused of aggravated smuggling offenses related to violations of the Defense Export Control Law, as well as unlicensed defense marketing activities. The estimated value of the smuggling offenses is approximately 35 million shekels.

Additionally, one executive faces tax offense charges, and the company is also charged with money laundering under Section 4 of the Prohibition on Money Laundering Law. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that, per court order, the indictment's content and case details remain under a gag order, except for the information officially released. Lahav 433 arrested a suspect involved in defrauding evacuated families and state authorities of millions of shekels as part of this case.