MK Sharren Haskel Testifies in Police Probe Over State Comptroller Election Scandal

On Sunday morning, MK Sharren Haskel testified at the Lahav 433 police unit as part of an investigation into the controversial election of attorney Michael Regev to the position of State Comptroller. Haskel, chair of the "Israel Ahead" party, was summoned following instructions from the Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and State Prosecutor Amit Isman to examine whether she or the Likud party submitted a false affidavit regarding video recordings taken during the parliamentary vote.

Haskel had submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court stating that members of the "New Hope" faction were required to record their votes on video and present the footage to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Likud member, as proof of their voting. She confirmed awareness of potential penalties for false testimony and noted that her faction did not have an independent position on the matter at the time.

The Likud party, including MK Milvitsky and Minister Karei, who also recorded their votes, denied any directive to breach voting secrecy, claiming the recordings were voluntary. This contradiction led the Attorney General to order an open testimony from Haskel to clarify who gave the instruction to record votes.

The Supreme Court had invalidated the initial election between Netanyahu's attorney Regev and retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron due to significant procedural flaws, ordering a new vote that has yet to take place. The controversy arose after several MKs filmed themselves voting, violating the legally mandated secrecy of the ballot.

Depending on Haskel's testimony, a criminal investigation may be launched into the submission of a false affidavit to the Supreme Court regarding the election process.