Investigation Concludes Against Former Minister Haim Biton in Funding Misuse Case

The Israeli police announced on Wednesday the completion of the investigation into the "Haderech" newspaper affair, centered on former Shas party minister and Knesset member Haim Biton. The investigation file has been transferred to the Economic and Taxation Prosecution for review and decision on potential charges. The probe focused on suspicions that budgets allocated by the Ministry of Education to the Maayan Hachinuch Hatorani network were improperly used without authorization to finance the children's supplement "Avivim," distributed through the privately owned "Haderech" newspaper, affiliated with Shas.

Haim Biton, who served as CEO of the Maayan network from 2018 to 2021, is suspected of diverting funds intended for the network to cover the publication and distribution costs of the supplement. Additionally, employees and suppliers of the network allegedly provided services or were employed to support the newspaper. Other suspects include Moshe Avitan, the network's procurement manager, and other officials connected to the newspaper.

The investigation began covertly and became public in March of the previous year when Biton was first summoned for questioning. The inquiry examined allegations including fraud, breach of trust, receiving items by deception, theft or attempted theft, false corporate documentation, and offenses under the Prohibition on Money Laundering Law. After completing all investigative actions and receiving approval from the heads of the National Fraud Unit and the Investigations and Intelligence Division, the case was forwarded to the Economic and Taxation Prosecution to decide on filing indictments against those involved.