Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies in Netanyahu Trial, Defends Prosecution
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified for a second day in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial, defending the prosecution's actions. Mandelblit confirmed not all investigative steps were approved but stated the amended indictment had his full backing. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, accused the prosecution of withholding information from Mandelblit, who expressed full confidence in his former colleagues.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified for a second day in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial.
- Mandelblit confirmed not all investigative actions were approved but stated the amended indictment had his approval.
- Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, accused the prosecution of withholding information from Mandelblit.
- Mandelblit expressed full confidence in the prosecution team and their work.
- Haddad suggested that Mandelblit was misled about the investigation's focus on Netanyahu.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit continued his testimony on Monday in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking the second day of his defense witness appearance. Mandelblit, who made the decision to indict Netanyahu in the "Cases 1000" and "4000" corruption charges, was questioned about investigation approvals and materials presented before the indictment was filed and amended.
During Monday's proceedings, Mandelblit confirmed that he had not approved all investigative actions, including some he deemed "serious," but clarified that he did not require approval for every single action. He emphasized that the amended indictment was filed with his approval and that he had reviewed the included cases.
Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, alleged that information was withheld from Mandelblit, a claim he reiterated on Monday. "I think they set a trap for you, there are things they didn't reveal to you," Haddad told Mandelblit. The former Attorney General responded, "You are claiming that the prosecution deliberately hid things from me. The prosecution accompanied these cases. The State Attorney's Office was my long arm. I would be very surprised if that is true. I have full confidence in the prosecution, including the people sitting here."
Haddad pressed further, stating, "You will draw the conclusion in the end. I will lay the facts before you. No one told you they were looking for materials against the Prime Minister." Mandelblit replied, "If that was done, it is serious."
