Police Arrest Southern Council Head and Six Others in Bribery Probe

Police arrested seven suspects, including a serving southern council head, relatives and other senior officials, and detained six more people for questioning. Investigators searched council offices after a months-long undercover probe by Lahav 433 and Southern District police. Authorities suspect bribery, rigged public tenders, fraud, breach of trust and fictitious council employees used to divert public funds into private hands. Tax and anti-money-laundering authorities joined the investigation, while prosecutors prepared to seek remand extensions for the suspects at Rishon LeZion Magistrates Court later Monday.