Legal Expert Questions Timing and Conduct in Netanyahu Indictment
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Legal expert Zion Amir questioned the timing and alleged bias in the indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, filed while Netanyahu was meeting with then-US President Donald Trump. Amir plans to question former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who is testifying in Netanyahu's trial, about a recording where Mandelblit felt "held by the throat." He also raised concerns about the process of indicting a sitting Prime Minister and Mandelblit's potential knowledge of investigation methods.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Legal expert Zion Amir questioned the timing of Benjamin Netanyahu's indictment, suggesting bias.
- Amir plans to question former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit about a "held by the throat" recording.
- Mandelblit is set to testify as a defense witness in Prime Minister Netanyahu's trial.
- Amir believes the defense will seek to cross-examine Mandelblit despite his witness status.
- The indictment was filed on January 28, 2020, during Netanyahu's meeting with Donald Trump.
Criminal law expert Zion Amir has raised critical questions regarding the decisions and timing surrounding the indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mandelblit, the former Attorney General, is set to testify as a defense witness in Netanyahu's trial. Amir highlighted the indictment's filing on January 28, 2020, while Netanyahu was in Washington meeting with then-US President Donald Trump, calling it a "precedent-setting decision" and suggesting the timing indicated bias and improper considerations.
Amir stated that if he were in the shoes of Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Hadad, his first question would concern this timing. He argued that even as an opposition figure, one does not attack the Prime Minister while abroad, and questioned Mandelblit's actions, suggesting a more considerate approach could have been taken for the benefit of citizens, not Netanyahu personally.
Regarding Mandelblit's upcoming testimony, Amir anticipates the defense will seek a cross-examination, even though Mandelblit is called as a defense witness. He believes this is necessary because the circumstances suggest Mandelblit may be hostile, and if the judges do not permit cross-examination, it could harm the investigation.
A central point of Amir's critique is a recording where Mandelblit is heard saying that then-State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan "has him by the throat." Amir stated he would question Mandelblit extensively about this remark, asking who was holding him and what "mafia" was involved.
Amir also addressed the procedures for initiating a criminal investigation against a sitting Prime Minister, emphasizing that it requires full, orderly approval from the Attorney General after a clear offense is presented. He concluded by presenting a dilemma for Mandelblit regarding his knowledge and involvement in investigation methods and state witnesses, stating that whether Mandelblit knew or didn't know, he faces a difficult situation.
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