Top Police Investigator Accuses Prosecution of 'Drawer Cases' for Pressure

Boaz Balt, the head of the Israeli Police's Investigations and Intelligence Directorate, has been recorded making sharp criticisms of the legal system, including the State Prosecutor's Office and the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash). Balt alleges that the prosecution holds onto cases, referred to as 'drawer cases,' for extended periods, only to use them later as leverage to pressure individuals. He stated that these cases are sometimes shelved for a year before being reopened with supplementary investigations.

Balt also accused Mahash of employing similar tactics against police officers, claiming that any deviation from the norm can lead to an investigation. He suggested that officers are summoned for questioning as a form of deterrence if they overstep. These criticisms were revealed in recordings obtained by Channel 12 News.

Furthermore, Balt criticized the prosecution's handling of crime in the Arab sector, asserting that many cases related to this issue are neglected and left unresolved. He claimed that the State Prosecutor's Office is not managed effectively and is overly focused on public corruption cases, seemingly ignoring other areas.

In addition to his critiques of the prosecution and Mahash, Balt also accused police officers of fearing engagement with organized crime families, particularly in the Arab sector. He cited the example of a prominent figure, Abu Latif, who he claims was investigated far less frequently now compared to the past, suggesting officers are hesitant to confront such individuals due to potential repercussions.