Abbas aide suspended over sex tape scandal

A top Palestinian official mired in a sex tape scandal brushed aside allegations he traded his influence for sexual favors, saying Feb. 14 he was the victim of entrapment and blackmail.

The high-ranking official, Rafiq Husseini, responded to the scandal hours after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suspended him from his duties as chief of staff. Abbas also ordered a three-member committee to investigate the affair and submit its findings within three weeks.

The scandal erupted last week when Israeli TV broadcast video of Husseini undressing, getting into bed and calling a woman to join him. The footage was secretly taped in 2008 by a former Palestinian intelligence officer, Fahmi Shabaneh, with the collusion of the woman. Shabaneh alleged that Husseini attempted to trade influence for sex.

Husseini suggested the tape was heavily edited, and said he informed Abbas of the incident shortly after it happened.

Shabaneh has also alleged that he has documents proving that some members of Abbas’ inner circle stole millions of dollars in public funds, but has sidestepped repeated requests to present the documents for closer inspection. Israel’s Channel 10 said it has some of the documents in its possession, but has only provided general descriptions. — ap