Israel prepares Lieberman charges

13 April 2011 Last updated at 19:19 GMT Avigdor Lieberman has pledged to step down as both a minister and MP if he is charged Israel's attorney general is considering charging Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman with corruption.

An indictment on charges of fraud, money laundering, breach of trust, and tampering with a witness was being drafted, the justice ministry said.

Mr Lieberman will have a chance to argue his case in a final hearing before a charge sheet is issued.

In a speech to members of his hard-line Yisrael Beiteinu party on Wednesday evening, he denied any wrongdoing.

"I know and you know that I always acted in accordance with the law, and there is no reason for worry," he said.

"After 15 years, I finally will have an opportunity to prove that I acted lawfully," he added. "As you know, with me my word is my bond."

He has pledged to step down as both a minister and MP if charged.

Yisrael Beiteinu is the second largest party in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government and the third largest in parliament, and his dismissal or resignation could force an election.

Shell companies

In a statement, the Israeli justice minister said the allegations against Mr Lieberman involved "millions of dollars" and covered the period that he served as a member of parliament and minister of strategic affairs, between 2001 and 2008.

A final decision on whether to press charges would be taken only after Mr Lieberman had had an opportunity to respond to the allegations at a hearing with the attorney general, Yehuda Weinstein, it added.

Such a final hearing has yet to lead to the dropping of serious charges against a minister.

Mr Weinstein has been looking into Mr Lieberman's case for more than a year and a half, since police recommended charging the 52-year-old.

They believe he received more than $2.9m (£1.8m) from businessmen, which was allegedly laundered via a series of shell companies and fictitious bank accounts overseas.

The breach of trust allegation relates to the case of Israel's former ambassador to Belarus, who is said to have showed Mr Lieberman secret documents from the police investigation against him.

He will not be charged with bribery, as the police recommended.

If convicted of money laundering, he could face 10 years in prison.

Israel's leadership has been rocked by scandals in recent years.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigned under a cloud of several corruption cases against him, and his finance minister is serving a prison term for embezzlement.

Last month, Former President Moshe Katsav was sentenced to seven years in prison for rape and other sex offences.

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50,000 charity bags theft charges

9 February 2011 Last updated at 19:51 GMT Two people have been charged with stealing 50,000 charity bags of clothing left on people's doorsteps.

South Wales Police said they discovered the bags on an industrial estate in Cardiff after a tip-off from the public.

A man, 24, and a woman, 19, both Lithuanian nationals, have been charged with theft offences. Three others have been arrested.

South Wales Police said the haul was the work of an "organised crime group".

Police said the stolen bags - enough to fill six large shipping containers - were probably headed to an eastern European country and the contents sold for "massive profit".

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It looks as though we have managed to intercept the goods just before they are transported away, most likely to an eastern European country”

End Quote Det Ch Insp Phil Jones South Wales Police The two people charged were arrested in Treorchy, Rhondda, after members of the public reported suspicious behaviour.

The subsequent police investigation led to the bags at Wentloog Corporate Park in Rumney, Cardiff.

Three other Lithuanian nationals, two men aged 30, and a 48-year-old woman, have also been arrested and are being questioned by police.

'Organised crime'

Det Ch Insp Phil Jones said: "This haul is likely to be the end result of weeks or months of work by the organised crime group, and it looks as though we have managed to intercept the goods just before they are transported away, most likely to an eastern European country.

"What this does show is that without realising it, so many people are lining the pockets of organised criminals who are very likely to be linked to other crime. People need to be mindful of this when giving to charity.

"We have had reports in the past of flyers or bags which mimic genuine charity bags being left at homes.

"We also know that bags left out for charities have been stolen.

"Our message is, please keep giving vital help to charities, but give with care and check your donation is going to those in need."

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