ISRAEL – The Benjamin Netanyahu‘s chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman was on Sunday detained and his home searched by Israeli police, in alleged attempt to obstruct investigation over the leaking of classified intelligence information to the German tabloid Bild.

“This morning, a senior official in the Prime Minister’s Office has been detained by Lahav 433 officers on suspicion of obstructing investigative procedures,” the police said in a statement.

Tzachi Braverman is a top figure in Netanyahu’s inner circle, and is set to become the Israeli ambassador to the UK.

Braverman was questioned for obstruction of justice, and his phone was seized.

Omer Mansour, a spokesperson in the prime minister’s office was also summoned.

According to Netanyahu’s former spokesperson Eli Feldstein, Braverman knew of the covert investigation of the leak months before it became public, saying that the suspects run as high as in Netanyahu’s office, and wanted to know if he was in any way being connected to the leak, so that he can shut the investigation down.

His appointment as ambassador to the UK has seen a growing criticism, with the opposition leader Yair Lapid and Movement for Quality Government in Israel, calling for his appointment to be suspended.

However, the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has rejected these calls, claiming that his appointment passed all requirements.

Braverman Banned from Leaving Israel

Braverman was released on Sunday evening after interrogation that lasted around 13 hours, and was banned from leaving the country.

He was also barred from contacting Netanyahu or entering his office.

Also, same restrictions were imposed on Omer Mansour, who was later summoned after Braverman’s detention.

Braverman’s lawyer, Jack Chen, confirmed that his client had been released under conditions that include a ban on contacting Netanyahu or working in the office as well as being barred from leaving the country.

“We are confident that at the conclusion of the investigation, the competent authorities will announce that there is no truth to the claim made by (Feldstein),” Chen said in a statement.