Israeli Police Investigate Over 100 Individuals in Sports Fraud Case

A court in Rishon LeZion ordered the release of three suspects in the "Mirror Image" case, including Eliran Hodda, Arie Kalmanzon, and Miki Beitan, to house arrest with restrictive conditions for ten days. Yael Bar was also placed under house arrest with restrictive conditions for five days. The lawyer for Hodda, Adi Carmeli, stated that the arrests were unnecessary from the start and that the case would ultimately be dismissed, with a maximum of a hearing.

Carmeli asserted that his client cooperated fully with investigators and has nothing to hide, adding that the police themselves acknowledged the lack of substance in the case after five days, leading to their agreement to release the suspects. He expressed confidence that the case would "evaporate."

Mari Peretz Boganim, representing the police, reported significant strengthening of suspicions and the addition of new ones following five days of intensive investigation involving multiple authorities. She stated that the evidence is now solid and at a very high level, justifying the move to house arrest. Boganim revealed that over 50 players have been questioned under caution, with another 16 expected to be investigated, bringing the total number of involved individuals questioned to over 100. These investigations also include tax offenses related to managing accounts.

Boganim emphasized that players were questioned under caution to protect their rights, especially concerning tax evasion. She expressed hope that all football clubs and sports organizations would understand that a new unit is now scrutinizing contracts, bank accounts, and club finances to ensure a "pure and clean" sport. The investigation initially focused on double contracts but has expanded to include significant tax and registrar of associations offenses.