The 'Yemen Field' video leak case: Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court Judge Shelly Kotin today (Monday) extended the detention of former Chief Military Prosecutor Matan Solomesh until Wednesday,
The police confirmed in the hearing that Solomesh was summoned for questioning yesterday afternoon - following the opening of the search for the ousted MP, Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi, who was absent from her home for many hours and was eventually found healthy.
During his interrogation, Solomesh claimed that he was not involved in the leak itself, and that he only learned about the incident in retrospect. However, the police representative claimed that investigators had evidence that contradicted his version: "There are findings that contradict this.".
She added that the contradictory evidence is based "also, but not only" on the testimony of one of the women being questioned. However, when asked by the defense attorney whether WhatsApp correspondences that might refute the suspicion had been examined, the police representative replied that "the phones have not yet been fully disassembled.".
Solomesh said at the hearing that he agreed to undergo a confrontation and even expressed his willingness to undergo a polygraph test. So far, neither step has been taken.
Attorney Nati Simhoni, representing Solomesh, argued in the hearing that his client acted in good faith and even approached the deputy chief of police, Colonel Gal Asael - who was appointed as the investigating officer in the case - on his own initiative and offered to provide him with any information he had.
During the hearing, it was alleged that Solomesh told his interrogators: "I told the deputy MAG - when you come to me, I will tell you what I know" - but the deputy MAG did not make contact, and therefore the things he knew were not disclosed.
Simhoni: "He was not part of the investigation process but offered his help. He knew that the MP was involved in the leak but thought that the investigation would lead to the investigation of the truth.".
It should be noted that Asael was a candidate to serve as Tomer Yerushalmi's replacement and even as the Chief Military Attorney on a permanent appointment.
In her decision, Judge Tomin noted that the investigation shows that Solomesh's version paints a different picture - according to which his part in the affair is lighter - but that there is still justification for continuing the investigation while he is in custody.
Amit Segal wrote about the developments: "The military prosecutor's attorney said that he offered to tell the deputy MAG everything he knew about the leak, the deputy MAG did not make contact. I remind you that the attorney general promised the High Court that they would consult with her about examining the leak. She is now conducting the investigation. It is indescribable.".
""This testimony shows that the deputy attorney general knowingly botched the investigation, with the attorney general enabling it by deed or omission. The only way is to detain him for questioning and collect testimony from the attorney general's staff. But who will allow this? The attorney general herself?
""Reminder: She determined that Zini cannot be head of the Shin Bet due to a conflict of interest that arose in a ten-minute meeting in a car.".
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