The ex-Mossad chief will not to be questioned unless Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit approves a full investigation.
https://www.jpost.com-By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
MOSSAD DIRECTOR Yossi Cohen.(photo credit: FLASH90)
Israel Police opened an initial probe against ex-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen over “a number of issues connected to Cohen,” Channel 13 reported on Sunday.
An initial probe opened by Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit and the police do not necessarily mean there will be a criminal investigation. It is often used as a tool to investigate a sensitive issue for senior public figures when the attorney-general would prefer not to launch a full, public investigation unless the facts turn out to be worse than expected.
At this stage, Cohen would not be criminally questioned, but he could be called as a witness. He has already given public testimony of his narrative.
Given the circumstances, the chances of a full criminal probe are low, unless the initial investigation uncovers some quid-pro-quo or a request by Packer.
Haaretz broke the report about the saga, prompting Cohen to eventually address the issue and eventually leading to a police probe.
Cohen’s daughter received a $20,000 gift for her wedding from Australian billionaire tycoon James Packer.
Cohen was advised at the time by a Mossad lawyer that accepting the gift was permitted. He later returned the money when the issue became controversial.
Cohen has said he regretted that he and his daughter accepted the gift, but he did not think it was problematic at the time in light of how wealthy Packer was and since there was no quid-pro-quo or request involved.
The police will also look into the suspicion that Cohen relayed information to a woman with whom he had a close relationship during the end of his term as Mossad chief, Channel 13 reported, though this issue is seen as the least likely to go anywhere.
Packer has become a lightning rod on Israel’s political scene due to a number of probes he has been drawn into.
The probes have harmed his business and led him to publicly discuss his bipolar disorder. He has also been involved in controversial conduct on various occasions.
Many top Israeli officials on the Right and Left were close to the long-time Israel supporter and were not aware of his other extensive issues, Cohen has said.