Arrest in Knesset hoax leaves initial suspects fuming

Announcement of the arrest sparked sharp criticism over the way the investigation had been handled, particularly the accusations against Haim and Viola Barr of Herzliya, who were repeatedly questioned and told they were going to be charged for the crime.

Moshe Debby, spokesman for Minister of Internal Security Shlomo Ben-Ami, declined to comment.

Rubinstein criticized the police investigation and called on Ben-Ami to observe the law barring suspects' names from being published until after they are remanded.

Ben-Ruby refuted charges that the investigation had been mishandled.

"When the investigation began, we received...printouts that showed that a call had been made to the Knesset from the Barrs' residence," he said. When police detained Haim Barr, 70, and wife Viola, 68, for questioning, she admitted calling the Knesset to speak to a member of parliament.

The time matched that of the hoax call, he said, adding that the telephone company had supplied partial details of the calls made.

However, in reassessing the case, police requested additional information from the phone company. Only then, said Ben-Ruby, did the list show that an additional call had been made, which turned out to be Shoshi's.

Throughout the entire episode, the Barrs vehemently denied the police charges and declared they were being framed.

Speaking from her Herzliya home, an ecstatic Viola Barr told Israel Radio that the family burst out crying when they heard Shoshi had confessed.

"The truth finally came out," she said.

Jerusalem police did issue an apology Thursday night of last week, declaring they regretted the distress suffered by the Barrs.