An IDF lieutenant on Tuesday was charged with stealing weapons and selling them to criminals in the hope of paying off a $120,000 gambling debt. The defendant was a commander of an anti-aircraft unit, providing him access to LAW rockets and other weaponry which he allegedly stole and sold for profit.

According to the indictment, the thefts began in 2007, when a LAW rocket was stolen and sold to criminals, yielding the officer $1,500. He is also charged with selling M16 automatic rifles and is facing other counts after classified maps and military data were found in his home.

The officer remains in custody. The prosecution requested that he be held without bail. A bail hearing is scheduled in the coming days.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)