Micha Lindenstrauss asks attorney general to launch criminal investigation against Defense Minister´s bureau over missing tapes. Ynet learns comptroller also advises to probe former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, but sources privy to case deny report

Harpaz affair making waves again – State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss asked Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to launch a criminal investigation into the missing tapes affair in Defense Minister Ehud Barak´s bureau, Ynet learned on Friday.

In addition, Lindenstraus recommended launching a criminal probe against former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, in addition to his former aide Colonel Erez Weiner, for their involvement in collecting material against Barak.

Lindenstrauss received tapes only from Ashkenazi´s bureau, while officials in Barak´s bureau claimed that their tapes were erased. Now the state comptroller is asking the attorney general to investigate whether the tapes were intentionally erased in an attempt to conceal information.

If Weinstein decides to pursue the criminal investigation, he will most likely summon senior officials from Barak´s bureau – and perhaps Barak himself – for interrogation under advisement.

Sources privy to the case confirmed that the state comptroller requested to launch a criminal investigation into the missing tapes, but denied that Lindenstrauss named Weiner or Ashkenazi as potential subjects of a criminal probe.

In addition, Chief Military Advocate General Brig.-Gen. Danny Efroni asked State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss to hand him the investigation material he collected during the Harpaz affair, in order to examine whether there are any criminal aspects to the case.

Meanwhile on Friday, the State Prosecutor´s Office asked the High Court to delay its discussion of a petition filed by Weiner, which is scheduled for Monday. Weiner had petitioned the High Court against the comptroller in order to get the documentation related to his case.

On Thursday, Ynet learned that Lindenstrauss had approached the State Prosecutor´s Office with a request to examine the possibility of launching a criminal investigation against Weiner over his involvement in the Harpaz affair.

The Harpaz document, which was revealed in 2010, presented an alleged plot to harm Ashkenazi and promote the appointment of Yoav Galant as chief of staff. Harpaz at first admitted to forging the document, but later retracted his statement. The State Prosecution has yet to decide on whether it will indict him. . (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 05/04/12)