Netanya Major Miriam Feirberg was today released to 15 days house arrest, and has been barred from the municipality for 41 days. The police asked the court to bar her for 90 days.
Police representatives alleged that Feirberg had fabricated evidence, and that municipal employees were afraid of her and scared to testify against her.
Before the hearing, intensive negotiations took place between Adv. Nati Simchony, Feirberg's representative, and Israel Police National Fraud Unit. The police will also ask the court to release the mayor's son, Adv. Tsafrir Feirberg, to house arrest with restrictive conditions. Feirberg's son is accused of accepting bribes for his mother.
On Sunday the Court extended Feirberg's remand by three days, although the police asked for an eight-day extension. A police representative said at the hearing that Tsafrir had "accepted a bribe for her," as had her ex-husband, Eliyahu Feirberg.
Miriam Feirberg initially refused to enter the courtroom before the media was removed, but later entered and tried to give the impression of business as usual, kissing her family and friends from her office. Asked how she felt, she answered, "Everything is fine."
Police Superintendent Elisha Kogan said in the hearing, "Her son Tsafrir accepted a briber for her. We questioned her not only about the Coral project, but also about other projects."
In response to a question by the mayor's lawyer, Kogan said that the recordings collected in the case had not yet been played for Miriam Feirberg.
Judge: The investigation is proceeding with all due speed
"The investigation developed during the arrest," another police representative stated. "We are asking the Court to extend her remand." Judge Amit Michles told the police witness, "I want you to tell me what material and important actions you are going to take in the coming days" - a hint that he would not extend the remand by the eight days requested by the police.
"After perusing the confidential investigation materials, I believe that there is real progress in the investigation," Judge Michles said at the end of the hearing. "The investigation is proceeding with all due speed. There is a real concern about obstruction of justice if the prisoner is released, given her status and influence. I therefore believe that a three-day extension of the suspect's remand should be ordered. The judge also wants the court to supervise the investigation.
The Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court previously extended Tsafrir Feirberg's remand by three days, which was agreed by both sides. The remand of Adv. Avraham Gugig was extended by four days.
Avraham Tshuva, brother of businessman Yitzhak Tshuva, was released to 15 days house arrrest under restrictive conditions. He gave bond and deposited his passport. He also undertook not to contact any of those involved. Mayor Feirberg's petition for release from Neve Tirzah prison on Thursday was dismissed.
The police expect to stage a confrontation soon between Mayor Feirberg and some of the suspects, who allegedly incriminated her.
Feirberg's lawyer: She was unaware that she had signed the project
In a television interview on Friday, Simchony stated, "I suggest refraining from hasty conclusions. I suggest that everybody realize that this is the beginning of the investigation, which began only a few days ago. We all know how investigations begin, and they do not always finish that way. The only thing loud and clear here is Mrs. Miriam Feirberg's declaration of her innocence."
He then spoke about the suspicion that Feirberg had signed an agreement relating to an apartment she had purchased, saying, "The allegations are inaccurate she did not purchase an apartment in 2006, she bought 2.5% of the rights in land in the framework of a buyer's group. She then continued and paid for the construction - she had nothing to do with the project after buying the rights in the land."
He added, "The only time she had anything to do with it was in 2013, when she signed the building permit. The building permit is formal and technical in essence, after all the authorities had approved. Rabbi Shimon Sher was supposed to sign it, but he was not in the municipality just then, so Mrs. Feirberg signed in his place. There was no mention of the project or the developer; she could not have been aware that the same project was involved. I suggest to avoiding jumping to conclusions."
Land Registry records show that the mayor's ex-husband owned a luxury apartment in a luxury high-rise in the city, plus another apartment in Rehovot and one in Beer Sheva, in addition to widespread investments. Feirberg's properties are also being investigated.
Adv. Asaf Tal, the mayor's ex-husband's lawyer, said in response, "My client states unequivocally that the suspicions that he receive a bribe or mediated a bribe for his ex-wife are totally unfounded, and the truth will be revealed."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 13, 2016
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