Former Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger charged with money laundering

Yona Metzger faces accusations of bribery, money laundering and income tax violations (AFP/Getty Images)

A former Chief Rabbi has been arrested in Israel following a fraud inquiry.

Yona Metzger faces accusations of bribery, money laundering and income tax violations.

Police said the crimes were allegedly committed while Mr Metzger served as Chief Rabbi. Mr Metzger suspended himself from his post in June, weeks before the end of his 10-year term, after police questioned him on the matter.

He was Chief Rabbi for Israel’s Ashkenazi, or European-descended, Jews.

Along with a second Chief Rabbi from the Sephardic, or Middle Eastern lineage of Jews, Mr Metzger led the country’s supreme body for overseeing Jewish religious services.

Mr Metzger denies the allegations against him.

AP