Ex-Attorney General Mandelblit to Testify in Netanyahu's Trial
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit will testify in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Netanyahu's defense team summoned Mandelblit to argue that investigations against the premier lacked proper authorization. Key issues include an oral approval for an investigation and potential overreach in investigative actions. The defense has requested seven sessions for Mandelblit's testimony, with the final date potentially set just before elections.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit will testify in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial.
- Netanyahu's defense claims investigations against him lacked necessary approvals from Mandelblit.
- A central point of contention is Mandelblit's oral approval for an investigation.
- Judges have previously criticized the approval process for its lack of documentation.
- The defense seeks seven sessions for Mandelblit's testimony, with a date near elections.
- Nir Hefetz, a former advisor and state witness, is also a subject of discussion.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who filed the indictments against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the 'Cases of the Thousand,' is set to testify on Sunday at the Jerusalem District Court. Netanyahu's defense attorneys summoned Mandelblit, aiming to support their claim of "defense from justice," arguing that the investigations against the Prime Minister were conducted without the necessary approvals from the Attorney General.
Netanyahu is expected to attend the hearing. Throughout the defense's presentation, his lawyers have called investigators involved in the cases, attempting to demonstrate that investigative actions against the Prime Minister began before Mandelblit's approval was granted. The defense will also argue that some investigative actions exceeded the scope of approvals given by the Attorney General, contrary to legal requirements.
A central issue in the testimony will be the oral approval Mandelblit gave for Netanyahu's investigation, rather than a written one. Mandelblit approved the investigation during a meeting with investigators, without the approval being officially documented. The judges have previously criticized Mandelblit and the prosecution for this method of approval, given the sensitivity of investigating a prime minister.
The defense attorneys are also expected to question Mandelblit about an affidavit he submitted to the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) concerning the approval process in the case. Another matter likely to arise is the investigative tactic used with Nir Hefetz, Netanyahu's former advisor and a state witness.
The defense requested seven court sessions for Mandelblit's testimony, with two this week and the rest next. However, the judges may shorten the testimony duration, as the issues Mandelblit is expected to be questioned on are relatively focused. The defense's latest requested date for the testimony is October 22, five days before the elections.
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