More than 20 Israeli citizens, among them former defense industry employees, were investigated in recent months on suspicion of undermining state security, violating the Defense Export Control Law, money laundering and other financial crimes.
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A court-issued gag order was partially lifted on Thursday, while other details of the case, including the suspects' identities, still remain classified.
The Shin Bet security agency, the Israel Police's International Crime Investigations Unit, the Director of Security of the Defense Establishment, and the State Attorney's Office Economic Division all participated in the investigation.
In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the suspects were involved in illegally developing, manufacturing, testing, and selling drone missiles to a country in Asia. The suspects were found to have received direction from individuals with ties to the country in question, and in exchange received large amounts of money and other bribes.
The investigation revealed that the relationship between the suspects and the individuals working on behalf of the foreign country was secretive, for the purpose of concealing the identity of the country for which the missiles were earmarked.
According to the Israel Police and Shin Bet, the investigation shed considerable light on the operational methods employed by the foreign elements, including techniques to conceal and secretly move money.
"This affair illustrates the potential damage to the security of the state inherent in business deals between Israeli citizens and foreign elements in contravention of the law, including the concern that this technology could find its way to countries hostile to Israel," said a joint statement.
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