Joint Arab List MK Basel Ghattas was scheduled to be questioned by the police Tuesday, over allegations that he smuggled mobile phones to two Fatah security prisoners while visiting them at Ketziot Prison in southern Israel. Ghattas was incommunicado for several hours Monday, sparking concerns he was trying to evade authorities. "An MK who refuses to talk with the police and answer factual questions, effectively hiding behind his parliamentary immunity, is acting like a common criminal," Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said. By Monday evening, however, the MK's lawyer had contacted the police and scheduled in interview. Nevertheless, Ghattas' reluctance to contact authorities prompted the Public Security Ministry to flag his passport, informing all border crossings nationwide to detain him should he try to leave the country. Ghattas' attorney, Khaled Titi, told Channel 10 News that "reports that he went underground are baseless. We are in contact with the police and MK Ghattas will report to questioning as scheduled." The Arab MK denied any wrongdoing, telling Channel 10 News that "this whole incident has been blown out of proportion. I have nothing to hide, and I will continue to represent the Arab public through legitimate political activity." Meanwhile, Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer presented the Knesset with a bill seeking to double the prison sentence imposed on lawmakers convicted of compromising national security or Israel's foreign relations, or divulging state secrets.
Police question Arab MK involved in phone smuggling case
Joint Arab List MK Basel Ghattas' reluctance to contact police over suspicions that he smuggled phones to security prisoners prompts alert to all border crossings to prevent him from leaving Israel • Ghattas: Incident has been blown out of proportion.
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