The police announced to the court this afternoon (Tuesday) that the interrogation of Bezalel Zini, brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini, has ended.
Zini, who was arrested more than two weeks ago, is suspected of involvement in smuggling cigarettes into the Gaza Strip during the war.
The police informed the court that his investigation was over and emphasized that the suspicion against him was only cigarette smuggling.
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During the recent period, various investigative actions were carried out in his case, and now, according to the police announcement, the work of collecting evidence has been completed.
A prosecutor's statement was filed against him today, a preliminary step toward filing an indictment. His remand has been extended until Thursday. The indictment against him is expected to be filed in the coming days.
There are 13 additional suspects in the case for security offenses, who were involved in smuggling products that could also be used for terrorism.
Shmuel Zini, one of the brothers who came to court today to support Bezalel, hinted to Channel 12 that they are trying to harm the head of the Shin Bet: "You know who they are looking for, the Israeli people are smart enough to understand the situation.".
According to a report in Kan News, Zini is the owner of the company Bezalel Zini Entrepreneurship and Projects Ltd. and serves in the reserves as responsible for the logistical envelope of the "Uriah Force", a unit of reserve fighters who operate engineering tools such as "excavators" in the Gaza Strip.
According to the report, Zini has a significant role in the reserves, and there is evidence against him that he was aware of what was happening and was involved in the moves due to his commanding position.
It is suspected that Zini was one of the smugglers who transported the goods via IDF convoys. The affair has been under investigation for over a month and a half - centered on suspicion of smuggling goods into the Gaza Strip in exchange for money.
Some of the smuggled materials are defined as dual-use materials - materials that are not weapons but could be used by terrorist organizations. Zini, as mentioned, was not involved in this type of smuggling.
According to News 12, Bezalel Zini gave the following version during his interrogation: "I have nothing to do with these smuggling operations, my job was only to check every truck that entered Gaza, and that's what I did. I have no idea about all these smuggling operations you're talking about.".
On the other hand, some of those being investigated contradict these things and incriminate him.
A source involved in the investigation said: "He knew exactly what goods were being transported, he turned a blind eye to the illegal smuggling, he received financial compensation, so we also detained him for 10 days. However, his role in relation to the other suspects is minor.".
