$13M in crypto and cash: Officers in classified IDF units charged in major corruption and security case
Seven defendants accused of bribery, theft and money laundering in scheme worth tens of millions of shekels, with much of the case still under a gag order.
Officers from classified units in the IDF and the Israel Police have been accused of a series of offenses in one of the most serious security cases of the war, most of whose details remain under a publication ban. The State Attorney’s Office filed an indictment with the Central District Court in Lod on Monday against seven defendants on charges including bribery, theft by a public servant, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and tax offenses.
The indictment, filed by the Central District Attorney’s Office, alleges that the defendants committed the offenses as part of their service in classified units in the IDF and the police. Over a period of many months during the past year, they allegedly abused their positions and authority to unlawfully obtain money and assets worth tens of millions of shekels. Most of the defendants are accused of laundering the proceeds of bribery and theft through cryptocurrencies.
During the investigation, authorities seized cryptocurrency wallets and cash with a combined value of more than NIS 50 million (approximately $13M). After some of the suspects became aware of the investigation and the arrest of one of those involved, three of the defendants allegedly acted to conceal evidence in an attempt to obstruct the inquiry.
The indictment follows a joint investigation conducted by the Shin Bet, the Israel Police’s Central District, the Military Police Investigations Unit, and the Police Internal Investigations Department. Alongside the indictment, prosecutors requested that four of the defendants be remanded in custody until the end of legal proceedings, while seeking restrictive conditions for the remaining three. The court ruled that, beyond the details published, all other aspects of the case remain subject to a gag order.
In a joint statement, the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, and the IDF confirmed the arrests of officers suspected of serious security-related offenses. “In a joint operation, a number of officers serving in operational units in the IDF and the Israel Police, along with civilians and a resident of East Jerusalem, were detained for questioning on suspicion of security offenses committed while abusing their position, status, and authority for financial gain,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the investigation uncovered “a systematic scheme involving theft of funds and bribery carried out through the exploitation of official roles and authority.” Authorities reiterated that approximately NIS 50 million was seized during the investigation.
The statement added that the Shin Bet, the IDF, and the Israel Police “view with utmost severity any abuse of position for personal gain, particularly when it poses a direct threat to the security of the State of Israel and contributes to strengthening hostile terrorist organizations.”
