Last update - 00:00 12/02/2007
Gaydamak: 'Forged' document real, police trying to defame me
By Jonathan Lis and Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service
Tycoon Arcadi Gaydamak said Sunday an allegedly forged Justice Ministry request with Interpol in Russia for information on him is in fact real, calling it part of a police attempt to defame him, Israel Radio reported.
Israel Police has launched an investigation to find the people who allegedly submitted the document, and according to the radio will call Gaydamak in for questioning soon.
The document, allegedly signed by the ministry's official for international matters, Yitzhak Blum, asks Interpol for details of Gaydamak's movements, business connections and any investigations being conducted regarding him in Russia.
For several years, Gaydamak has waged a campaign against the police and the Justice Ministry, claiming they are persecuting him. This document could have helped him establish those claims. The police don't know the origin of the forgery and are examining several possible options, including Gaydamak opponents seeking to blacken his name or to hurt his supporters.
Dated October 19, 2006, the document was sent to several news outlets a few days ago, as well as to State Prosecutor Eran Shendar. Seeking to verify its credibility, Shendar approached Blum, who said he had never written such a request.
Shendar believes the forgery could cause damage to the state and Israeli law-enforcement authorities.
A senior Justice Ministry source called this one of the most serious affairs in recent years and saw it as an apparent attempt to terrorize the legal system.