Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, who landed early this morning at Ben Gurion Airport, testified today for about 10 hours before members of the Police Investigations Department (PID) at the Ministry of Justice.
The rabbi is also expected to testify in the coming days before investigators on the suspicion that he bribed the former commander of Lahav Unit 433, retired Major General Menashe Arbiv - and to serve as a state witness. The material that Rabbi Pinto handed over to investigators will be examined, and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein will decide how to proceed with the case and whether to sign a plea deal with Rabbi Pinto. If a deal is signed with the rabbi, the state attorney's office will demand that he be imprisoned for only one year, for bribery.
The rabbi landed in Israel early this morning on a flight from France, after spending the past few months in New York. Shortly after landing, he reported to the Mahash offices in Jerusalem.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
In the shadow of the investigation, his wife, Deborah, was hospitalized this evening at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. The rabbi left the interrogation room and went to the hospital. Rabbi Pinto's associates responded by saying: "We would like to clarify that the rabbi felt a little unwell during the day and was referred for medical treatment. She was examined and is now in excellent condition. There is no basis for the malicious rumors about her condition.".
This evening, the rabbi was expected to hold a class for his followers in Ashdod, but at this time it is unclear whether the class will take place as planned, due to his wife's condition.
