Ex-Top Investigator's Testimony Weakens Netanyahu Trial, Lawyer Claims

Attorney Yoram Sheftel asserted that the testimony of a former head of the Lahav 433 investigative unit significantly undermines the indictment against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sheftel argued that this testimony adds to a long list of instances where investigative actions were allegedly conducted without the required legal authorization.

Sheftel stated in an interview that this is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of alleged procedural misconduct throughout the investigation. He reiterated a claim he made even before the indictment was filed, asserting that the indictment itself is the product of thousands of criminal offenses committed during the investigation.

Specifically, Sheftel highlighted the testimony of retired Superintendent Eran Kamin, former acting head of Lahav 433, who confirmed meeting privately with journalist Ben Caspit to discuss intelligence regarding the Netanyahu family. Kamin admitted the meeting was unrecorded, lacked documentation in the investigation file, and proceeded without prior approval from the Attorney General.

Sheftel further contended that beyond the issue of authorization for initiating investigations, the numerous leaks during Netanyahu's investigation also constitute criminal offenses under Israeli law, punishable by up to two years in prison. He claimed there were well over a thousand such leaks, in addition to alleged mistreatment of state witnesses and ongoing investigations conducted without proper authority.