Israeli Diamantaire Lev Leviev's Son & Brother Held in Diamond Smuggling Case

The son and brother of Israeli billionaire diamond magnate Lev Leviev are among the suspects reportedly held on suspicion of diamond smuggling, according to Reuters.

Leviev's son Zevulun and brother Moshe are held in connection of their involvement in a smuggling operation that has brought about 300 million shekels' ($80 million) worth of diamonds illegally into Israel since 2010, reported Reuters. Other than these two, four other suspects held senior positions in Lev Leviev’s company.

Lawyers representing Zevulun Leviev in a statement said the allegations against him were "baseless" and his arrest appeared to be a tactic to "illegitimately pressure his father".  Moshe Leviev's lawyer denied in court that his client had any connection to the allegations against him.

Lev Leviev is currently believed to be in Russia.

Leviev’s company LLD Diamonds said in a statement it had no knowledge of the alleged smuggling.

The Yeshiva World reported that Israel Police investigators investigating the diamond smuggling case involving family members and employees of Russian-Israeli diamond billionaire and philanthropist Lev Leviev, are now weighing a possible extradition order against him.

Leviev’s company, LLD Diamonds, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of polished diamonds.