The dramatic development in the Qatargate affair: Four hours after his testimony was unexpectedly interrupted in the Tel Aviv courtroom, the Prime Minister testified for about an hour this evening (Sunday) in the case in which his office members Eli Feldstein and Yonatan Urich are suspects.
Orech and Feldstein are suspected, among other things, of money laundering, breach of trust, and contact with a foreign agent, offenses for which a very high sentence can be imposed.
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The two were taken into custody and will be brought to the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court tomorrow for an extended detention. According to a report on Channel 12, a source familiar with the details confirmed that suspicions against Urich and Feldstein are growing.
According to a report by Brehanu Tagania on Channel 12, Urich insisted throughout the day that "the investigation is political" and that he had nothing to add. Feldstein, on the other hand, insisted that the funds he received were not from Qatar but for his work in the Prime Minister's Office.
Another suspect in the case, a businessman, is also under investigation and is considered one of the central figures in the case.
At the same time, a media person was detained for questioning on suspicion of mediating between Eli Feldstein and businessman Gil Birger, from whom he allegedly received funds originating from Qatar. The media person who was questioned today under caution at the Lahav 433 offices is suspected of receiving a benefit from a foreign agent, who is suspected of financing benefits for the journalist. The media person's name is prohibited from publication at this stage.
The journalist and the other interrogated person were released for 5 days of house arrest.
At this stage, Prime Minister Netanyahu is not suspected of anything, and he was summoned to testify following an urgent order from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to the police earlier today - for him to give open testimony.
According to a report by Moti Castel, Netanyahu's testimony began at 5:30 PM and was expected to last until 9:30 PM - but it ended an hour later.
Three investigators entered the Prime Minister's room with camera equipment to record and document the testimony. Attorney Amit Hadad and the head of staff were in the room first, then left, leaving Netanyahu alone with the investigators.
According to a report on Channel 14, one of the investigators is none other than Deputy Chief of Police Momi Meshulam, who previously interrogated Netanyahu in the "Eleven Files.".
Previously, Channel 14 reported that senior figures in Netanyahu's office accused Meshulam of personal persecution against the prime minister. They claim that in a conversation with his associates, Meshulam expressed himself in a problematic way when he said that he would make sure to "screw" Netanyahu.
According to them, Meshulam - who was the head of the investigation team in cases 1,000 and 2,000 - engaged in biased and offensive conduct that included a series of violations of the law.
In several cases, it was alleged, Meshulam acted contrary to the Attorney General's instructions, and operated Hadas Klein without permission and without authority.
Those senior officials in Netanyahu's office claimed that Meshulam is in a "structured and inherent conflict of interest," as they put it, and therefore cannot serve in investigative roles again against the prime minister or his office.
