Interior Minister and Shas Party Chairman Aryeh Deri said on Wednesday that "in recent months there has been an attempt to carry out a coup in Shas. There were those who spread rumors that I was resigning. I tell all of you and all those people who are trying to destroy the movement - it's a waste of time. I'll continue to lead and lead Shas under the Council of Sages".
Reports surfaced on Tuesday that police are close to recommending an indictment against Deri on a whole slew of corruption charges. Deri previously served a two-year prison sentence for bribery.