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Netanyahu

questioned on

bribe accusations

JERUSALEM: Police questioned former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for six hours on Sunday over allegations he accepted bribes, tried to misuse state funds and illegally kept gifts worth thousands of dollars, police said.

Israel's Channel two TV reported that police would recommend indicting Netanyahu on all three charges. The TV also said that Netanyahu's wife, Sara, will be charged with fraud and illegally keeping state gifts given to the couple during Netanyahu's term.

Police spokesman Uzi Sanduri declined to confirm the report, but said police will probably conclude the investigation in the coming two weeks.

The couple is suspected of accepting the moving and cleaning services of contractor Yaakov Amedi for three years without pay. In return, Amedi was allegedly slated to receive a government contract.

Amedi has since turned state's witness and is cooperating with police in the investigation.

Netanyahu's lawyers say Netanyahu offered to pay for the work himself, and told his office not to pay a bill submitted by Amedi.

Media reports say the contractor submitted $110,000 bill after Netanyahu was defeated in 1999 elections, when it became clear that Amedi would not get a government contract.

The couple is also suspected of keeping dozens of gifts they received during Netanyahu's 1996-99 term, in violation of Israeli law. The gifts reportedly included candlesticks, silverware, candelabras, carpets, pictures, scarves and a gold letter opener that was a gift from Vice President Al Gore.

Netanyahu says he did not intend to keep the gifts, nothing that they were being stored in a government warehouse.ÑAP