Police May Question Lev Leviev Over Smuggling

RAPAPORT... Lev Leviev faces questioning over diamond-smugglingallegations that have led to six of his relatives and employees being arrested,according to reports.Israeli police detained Zevulun and Moshe Leviev, thetycoon's son and brother, who ran a factory that Lev Leviev owned, according toThe Times of Israel. The other four suspects held senior positions in thetycoon's companies, the report said. Leviev is currently outside Israel, but mayreturn voluntarily for questioning, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.The six people, arrested Monday, are suspected of beinginvolved in smuggling NIS 300 million ($81 million) worth of diamonds intoIsrael, Haaretz continued, citing a police spokesperson."The suspicion is that hundreds of millions of shekelshave been smuggled into Israel over many years," Judge Guy Avnon wrote in hisdecision to extend the suspects' detention, which the Israeli newspaper quoted."I have found documents linking the suspects to the offenses. There aremore-senior people and less-senior people involved."Authorities initially apprehended a smuggler at Tel Aviv'sBen Gurion International Airport earlier this year, Haaretz said. Policequestioned him and a second suspect, and came to believe they had uncovered avast diamond-smuggling ring.The investigation subsequently began when the ringleadercooperated with police and turned state's witness, the paper said. His identity is currentlyunder gag order.Image: Lev Leviev (Rybb12)