Ex-AG Mandelblit Disputes His Own Memo in Netanyahu Trial
Translated & summarized from Bizportal by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in the Benjamin Netanyahu corruption trial, admitting that a memo he submitted to the court contained an inaccurate authorization regarding Case 4000. He stated his aides prepared the memo and acknowledged that some investigative actions were taken without his direct knowledge. Mandelblit also confirmed he orally authorized an investigation into Yair Netanyahu's use of a hotel apartment, a detail not explicitly in the defense's protocol. The defense attorney questioned the basis of the indictment and Mandelblit's review of the evidence.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit admitted an authorization in a memo regarding Case 4000 was inaccurate.
- Mandelblit stated his aides prepared the memo, and investigators sometimes sought authorizations retroactively.
- He was unaware of attempts to interfere with a defendant's representation or a staged witness meeting.
- Mandelblit confirmed he orally authorized an investigation into Yair Netanyahu's use of a hotel apartment.
- The defense attorney questioned Mandelblit's review of evidence and the basis for the indictment.
- Mandelblit denied stating that Case 4000 was essential for filing an indictment.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in the Benjamin Netanyahu corruption trial that one of the authorizations mentioned in a memo he submitted to the court was not actually given by him. Mandelblit made the statement during his cross-examination by the defense, after being presented with the protocol of a previous hearing.
Mandelblit acknowledged that his memo, dated October 2, 2017, which stated he authorized an expanded investigation into Case 4000 (the Bezeq affair), was inaccurate. He explained that the memo was prepared by his aides. Defense attorney Amit Haddad pressed Mandelblit, suggesting that investigators sought authorizations only retroactively and that "many actions were taken and no one informed you." Mandelblit confirmed that his statement in the memo was incorrect and that his aides prepared it.
The defense attorney also questioned Mandelblit about a September 2019 letter he sent to then-head of the Israel Bar Association Avi Himi, in which he found no fault with the Netanyahu cases. Mandelblit stated he was unaware of attempts to interfere with Shaul Elovitch's representation or a staged meeting between witness Nir Hefetz and an associate. Regarding the staged meeting, Mandelblit called it "simply not right" and explained that he did not order an immediate investigation because it "could have disrupted the trial."
Mandelblit also testified that he was not informed that Deputy Commissioner Eli Assiag, then head of the Lahav 433 Major Crimes Unit, had approved the staged meeting, nor that prosecution representatives were present at the meeting where it was approved. When questioned about the indictment's preparation, Mandelblit said he received a draft, likely from the Tax and Economic Crimes Division. He stated he reviewed the 315 alleged bribery cases but admitted he did not read every piece of evidence.
Further questioning revealed Mandelblit's admission that he orally authorized an investigation into Yair Netanyahu's use of a hotel apartment owned by Jamie Packer. Haddad pointed out that this authorization was not explicitly in the protocol provided to the defense, questioning if it was redacted. Mandelblit also denied that he stated that without Case 4000, he would not have filed an indictment, asserting that each case individually justified an indictment.
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