Middle EastPorts and Logistics

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.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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