Last update - 00:00 11/02/2007
Document forged in Israel's name sent to Interpol in Russia
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
Police are investigating a forged document that was submitted to the Interpol agency in Russia apparently on behalf of the Israeli government. The document appears to be an official Justice Ministry request to receive details regarding business mogul Arcadi Gaydamak.
The document, which bears the signature of the Justice Ministry's supervisor of international affairs, Yitzhak Blum, asks the Interpol representative in Russia to transfer information regarding Gaydamak's business connections and investigations facing him in Russia.
Although the document is dated October 19, 2006, it has only come to light to Israeli authorities in recent days. State Prosecutor Eran Shendar has ordered an examination into the credibility of the document.
Blum denies submitting the document and a comprehensive Justice Ministry examination has revealed that none of his associates were involved in the matter, leading Shendar to suspect forgery. According to Shendar, the intention of the forgery may have been to harm the interests of the state and legal authorities.
Police Investigations and Intelligence chief Yohanan Danino has ordered an investigation opened into the affair, to be conducted by the National Fraud Investigation Unit.
As of yet, the police have no leads regarding who may be responsible for the document and are investigating all possibilities. Suspicions being entertained by police include the possibility that Gaydamak's associates or enemies, or Russian government sources, may be involved in the matter.