Lieberman charged in Jerusalem court

Former Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was formally charged with fraud and breach of trust.

The indictment, which reportedly includes new and stronger evidence against Lieberman, was filed with the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court Dec. 30. Lieberman is charged with advancing the position of Zeev Ben Aryeh, Israel’s former ambassador to Belarus, in exchange for information on an investigation against him.

An abuse of authority accusation could mean the court will add moral turpitude to any conviction. Those convicted of moral turpitude cannot seek public office for at least seven years.

Lieberman had waived his parliamentary immunity, seeking a speedy trial that he hoped would be over before the Jan. 22 elections. That no longer appears possible.

Lieberman resigned Dec. 14 as foreign minister, although he remains a member of the Knesset and the head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, which is running on a combined candidates’ list with the ruling Likud party. — jta