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11-28-2005, 09:57 PM
Russian millionaire Gaidamak questioned
Arkady Gaidamak questioned over money laundering scandal
Efrat Weiss
Police investigators questioned Russian millionaire Arkady Gaidamak Monday in the framework of a money laundering investigation involving a Tel Aviv branch of Bank Hapoalim.
Gaidamak, who recently purchased leading Israeli soccer team Beitar Jerusalem and yesterday announced his intention to establish a right-wing party, was summoned for questioning by the International Crime Unit in Petah Tikva.
Meanwhile, investigators have also conducted a search of Gaidamak's house in Caesarea.
Another suspect in the case was arrested Sunday upon entering the country.
The main suspicion against the Russian millionaire stems from the fact he withdrew money from his account shortly before the police was about to freeze his accounts in Bank Hapoalim.
Police will attempt to discover whether one of the bank's employees, or a source within the International Crime Unit, informed Gaidamak of the plan to freeze his accounts.
The money laundering scheme – one of the largest in the history of the country – was uncovered in March 2005 and was found to encompass other countries as well.
According to suspicions, hundreds of millions of dollars were laundered at the branch. The investigation revealed that the money was transferred to the bank from overseas, laundered and then transferred back abroad.
Dozens of businessmen and 22 of the bank's employees were questioned in the months after the scandal broke on suspicion they were involved in the scheme.
Following his questioning, Gaidamak was released on restrictive conditions, including a ban on leaving the country or contacting any of the other persons involved in the investigation. Gaidamak was also required to post USD 1 million bail.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3176145,00.html
Arkady Gaidamak questioned over money laundering scandal
Efrat Weiss
Police investigators questioned Russian millionaire Arkady Gaidamak Monday in the framework of a money laundering investigation involving a Tel Aviv branch of Bank Hapoalim.
Gaidamak, who recently purchased leading Israeli soccer team Beitar Jerusalem and yesterday announced his intention to establish a right-wing party, was summoned for questioning by the International Crime Unit in Petah Tikva.
Meanwhile, investigators have also conducted a search of Gaidamak's house in Caesarea.
Another suspect in the case was arrested Sunday upon entering the country.
The main suspicion against the Russian millionaire stems from the fact he withdrew money from his account shortly before the police was about to freeze his accounts in Bank Hapoalim.
Police will attempt to discover whether one of the bank's employees, or a source within the International Crime Unit, informed Gaidamak of the plan to freeze his accounts.
The money laundering scheme – one of the largest in the history of the country – was uncovered in March 2005 and was found to encompass other countries as well.
According to suspicions, hundreds of millions of dollars were laundered at the branch. The investigation revealed that the money was transferred to the bank from overseas, laundered and then transferred back abroad.
Dozens of businessmen and 22 of the bank's employees were questioned in the months after the scandal broke on suspicion they were involved in the scheme.
Following his questioning, Gaidamak was released on restrictive conditions, including a ban on leaving the country or contacting any of the other persons involved in the investigation. Gaidamak was also required to post USD 1 million bail.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3176145,00.html