Election Influence Probe Lacks Substantive Evidence, Says Top Judge
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, head of the Central Elections Committee, stated that the probe into election influence suspicions currently lacks substantial evidence. He criticized leaks from the investigation, calling them damaging. Sohlberg confirmed ongoing cooperation between the Shin Bet, police, and legal counsel, despite earlier reports of refusal. The Attorney General also clarified that investigations require evidentiary justification.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Election influence probe lacks substantive evidence, says Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg.
- Sohlberg criticized damaging leaks from the investigation, calling them a 'bad disease'.
- Classified legal opinion related to the probe was leaked before reaching the Elections Committee.
- Cooperation between Shin Bet, police, and legal counsel is reportedly good.
- Attorney General stated investigations require evidentiary justification, not baseless suspicion.
Noam Sohlberg, Chairman of the Central Elections Committee and Supreme Court Justice, announced that the investigation into suspicions of election influence currently lacks substantive evidence, though it remains ongoing. He stated that the evidentiary situation has not changed since an update provided shortly after the elections. At that earlier time, Sohlberg had reported that the head of the Shin Bet presented him with information raising serious suspicions related to the elections.
Sohlberg criticized recent leaks from the investigation, asserting they are damaging, particularly to its security aspects. He recounted an incident where a classified legal opinion related to the probe was leaked to electronic media before it officially reached the Elections Committee. "This is a recurring damage to the investigation, especially its security aspects, due to leaks. Such a leak is a 'bad disease,'" he stated.
He convened the investigation team leaders on the morning of the report to hear firsthand about the probe's progress. Representatives from the Shin Bet, Israel Police, and the State Prosecutor's Office were present. Sohlberg noted that while classified information has been presented, it has not yet materialized into concrete evidence, and may not. He emphasized that this information necessitates continued intensive investigation until its full extent is explored. The current evidentiary state, he wrote, is similar to the situation presented before a public statement was issued last week.
Sohlberg also affirmed that cooperation among the Shin Bet, Israel Police, and the legal counsel to the government is good. He confirmed with the investigation leaders that the legal counsel had not refused any investigative requests from the Shin Bet. He was assured that any legally justified request would be promptly and efficiently reviewed with the aim of uncovering the truth.
This comes after the Attorney General issued an unusual statement refuting reports that she refused to authorize the Shin Bet to investigate leaders of Arab parties. She stated that citizens or public officials cannot be investigated without sufficient evidence, and any party possessing such evidence is invited to present it. She reiterated that anyone who needs to be investigated will be, but not without an evidentiary basis.
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