Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies in Netanyahu Corruption Trial
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified on Sunday as a defense witness in the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu attended the hearing, which focused on whether police investigations were properly approved. Mandelblit, who indicted Netanyahu in three cases, is expected to testify for seven days and will be cross-examined by the prosecution. The testimony is anticipated to address key defense arguments regarding the legality of the investigations.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified as a defense witness in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial.
- Netanyahu attended the hearing, facing the official who indicted him in the "Cases of the Thousands."
- Mandelblit's testimony is expected to focus on the legality of police investigations against the Prime Minister.
- The former AG, who indicted Netanyahu in three cases, is scheduled to testify for seven days.
- The prosecution is expected to cross-examine Mandelblit after his initial testimony.
- Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in the ongoing trial.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the "Cases of the Thousands," is set to testify as a defense witness on Sunday. Netanyahu himself decided to set aside election matters and sensitive security discussions to attend the hearing, facing the official who decided to prosecute him. His presence complicated security arrangements outside the courthouse.
Mandelblit, who was responsible for approving investigations and filing the indictments, has been summoned for seven days of testimony. His evidence is expected to focus on a key defense argument: whether police conducted investigations against the Prime Minister without the Attorney General's required approval and exceeded permitted parameters. The prosecution is expected to cross-examine him later.
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in Case 4000, and fraud and breach of trust in Cases 1000 and 2000. A central issue in Mandelblit's testimony will likely involve internal protocols from 2016, documenting his discussions with police and prosecution officials during the early stages of the investigations. These protocols, released in February, reveal his real-time deliberations and instructions regarding the "gifts case."
Lawyer Zion Amir suggested that the defense would likely seek to cross-examine Mandelblit, even though he is called as a defense witness, anticipating potential opposition from the prosecution but also the possibility of a precedent-setting decision.
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