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Former Israeli foreign minister set to retake post after acquittal on fraud charges

February 11, 2014 at 9:32 am

An Israeli magistrate’s court in Jerusalem unanimously acquitted former Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman of fraud and a breach of trust charges.


According to Israeli media, the ruling cleared the way for Lieberman to retake his position as foreign minister.

As the decision was announced, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Lieberman and indicated that he would be reassuming his position in the near future.

Lieberman, head of the Israel Home party, was accused in December 2012 of illegally using his position to promote the former ambassador to Latvia,.

The three-judge panel said, “After examining the evidence on the matter, we have ruled that Ben Aryeh’s appointment did not constitute a promotion for him.”

They also said that deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon’s testimony against his former boss regarding the appointment of Ben Aryeh was “patchy” and may have been driven by personal hostility.