Woman Investigated in Lev Leviev Diamond Smuggling Case Dies in Apparent Suicide

A woman employed by LLD Diamonds Ltd., a company owned by Russian-born Israeli businessman Lev Leviev, has died in an apparent suicide Tuesday after being probed in a diamond smuggling investigation.

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Earlier this month it was revealed that Leviev’s son, Zvulun Leviev, LLD CEO Reuven Shmuelov, and several other employees of the Israeli diamond company have been under investigation by Israel Police for allegedly operating a diamond smuggling network. According to the allegations, between the years 2010 and 2018, the network has smuggled diamonds worth approximately $80.5 million (NIS 300 million) between Israel and Russia. The investigation had been operating under a gag order since March.

The woman was found dead after falling from the ninth floor of the Israeli Diamond Exchange building in the greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Earlier this week, she had been questioned under caution by Israel Police about her role in the alleged smuggling.

LLD said in a statement that the company is shocked and saddened by the death of the employee, whose identity was not revealed. LLD said it would assist in the investigation.

Israel police said in a statement that it regrets the tragic turn of events. The police did not provide details into the investigation.