Former Ashdod port workers indicted

The Israeli government yesterday filed indictments against Alon Hassan, a former Ashdod port union boss, and five others.

The indictment accuses Hassan of taking bribes, soliciting bribes, fraud and breach of trust by a public servant and by a corporation, extortion, conspiracy, fraud under aggravated circumstances and breach of trust, money laundering and tax fraud.

Prosecutors also asked the court to impound a long list of assets controlled by Hassan.

“The indictment is an important milestone for collaboration by enforcement agencies to eradicate the corruption that has spread in the Port of Ashdod, and contains a message about the standard of conduct expected of government employees and civil servants everywhere,” the State Prosecutors Office said.

The other five indicated included Shuki Sagis, a former CEO of Ashdod Port Company, who is accused of fraud and breach of trust by a public sector employee and fraud under aggravated circumstances. Others named were David Hassan, who is Alon’s cousin, as well as Yaniv Belter and Uri Belter. Dana Logistics was also indicted.

Hassan had fought hard against the government’s plan to introduce private competition to the ports sector in Israel until his downfall.