Will a diary that allegedly documents the transfer of bribes, discovered with one of suspects arrested in the new corruption scandal at Netivei Israel, help convict the criminals?
The diary, kept by Eitan Eidelman, "tracked the bribery felonies" according to the police. During a court hearing on Sunday at the Magistrate Court in Rishon Lezion on extending Eidelman's remand by eight days, his defense attorney turned the police investigator's attention to the "dear diary"; the researcher said the diary incriminates other suspects in the affair other than Eidelman.
On Sunday, court also extended by eight days the remand of former Likud MK Michael Gorlovsky, suspected of fraud, theft, and other felonies.
"In the matter of this suspect, new incriminating evidence has been added," wrote the judge in his decision, referring to evidence in a secret police report.
The judged further noted that "evidence was received which gave much cause" for the arrest, likely referencing the diary. He concluded that "under these circumstances, with Gorlovsky's case receiving reinforcing evidence... it is fitting to extend the incarceration."
He also mentioned that Gorlovsky was maintaining his silence and has not provided a defense. "It is his legal right," wrote the judge, "but it forces the researchers to prove each and every detail of the crime, which adds tremendously to their work."
The court then mentioned Gorlovsky's objection to the police holding his computers.
The hearing on the extension of former Netivei Israeli CEO Shai Beres' remand also mentioned Eidelman's diary as a central piece of evidence.
The corruption scandal at Netivei Israel was revealed last week after a months-long undercover investigation ended with the arrests of 18 suspects, including past and present executives and suppliers.
According to the allegations, former Netivei Israel chairperson Alex Wiznitzer, former CEO Shai Beres, and other senior executives created a systematic mechanism of corruption which they controlled, and under which they partnered with external suppliers, including Gorlovsky, which they then promoted.
On Sunday and Monday, the court extended the remand of 12 suspects in the affair; six were released to house arrest.