Argaman was questioned under caution by the Fraud Investigation Unit of the Israel Police’s Central District on suspicion of extortion by threats.

Netanyahu filed the police complaint after Argaman—who served as the director of the internal security agency between 2016 and 2021 and was appointed by the premier—threatened to reveal sensitive information about him during an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 on March 13.

“For now, everything that happened in one-on-one meetings between the prime minister and me—I keep in that space,” Argaman had told the broadcaster. “It is absolutely clear that I have a great deal of knowledge, and I could use it, but I am not, for the reasons I mentioned.”

However, he threatened, “If I reach the conclusion that the prime minister is acting illegally, I will have no choice but to disclose everything I know and have kept to myself until now.”

Argaman did not specify what kind of “illegal” moves by the prime minister would lead to the publication of the alleged kompromat.

The former Israel Security Agency chief has been a prominent activist in the protest movement seeking to overthrow the Netanyahu government since early 2023 when he signed a public letter condemning the prime minister’s (now largely shelved) initiative to reform the judicial system.

Argaman has marched arm in arm with far-left protest leader Shikma Bressler, who has referred to Israeli government ministers as “Nazis.” Bressler’s husband reportedly works as an agent for the Shin Bet.

Announcing the police complaint against Argaman on March 13, Netanyahu declared that “a dangerous new red line has been crossed.”

“Never, in all of Israel’s history or in the history of democracies, has a former head of a secret security agency openly blackmailed a sitting prime minister on live television,” he said in a statement, adding: “This crime is part of an ongoing campaign of extortion through media leaks in recent days, orchestrated by current Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.”

Netanyahu is seeking to dismiss the incumbent Shin Bet director due to “ongoing distrust.” The premier announced formal proceedings to fire Bar on Sunday; a Cabinet vote on the issue was expected on Thursday.

Netanyahu has reportedly been attempting to oust Bar for months due to the failure of his organization in the run-up to the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people.

Through its personal security unit, the Shin Bet is responsible for the safety of the Israeli prime minister, as well as his wife and two sons.