Jerusalem ( CNN ) -- Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein announced Wednesday he intends to indict Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman on charges of fraud , money laundering , breach of trust and obstruction of justice . Weinstein decided not to charge Liberman with bribery as police recommended due to lack of evidence , he said . A final decision on whether to indict Liberman is pending on a formal judicial hearing . Liberman is suspected of illicitly obtaining about $ 3 million through a number of shell companies . The alleged crimes date back to before Liberman became foreign minister in 2009 . `` I have always operated according to the law and I have no reason to worry , '' Liberman said Wednesday in reaction to Weinstein 's announcement . `` After 15 years I will finally have the chance to prove that I have always acted according to the law , '' he said . Liberman received the news of Weinstein 's decision while attending a conference for his party , Yisrael Beiteinu , in Jerusalem . He is not expected to resign from his position before a final decision is made . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's office released a statement saying Netanyahu `` hopes Liberman will prove his innocence . '' Liberman `` is a central member of the government '' and Netanyahu `` hopes that he will continue his contribution to the public , '' the statement said .
NEW : Netanyahu says he hopes Liberman will prove his innocence . The Israeli prime minister said in a statement that the decision to release him was made by President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. The final decision on whether to indict Avigdor Liberman will follow a formal hearing . He is suspected of illegally obtaining about $ 3 million through shell companies . The alleged crimes date back to before Liberman became foreign minister .