Ex-AG Mandelblit Denies Approving Plea Deal Talks With Witness Filber
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial that he did not approve plea deal negotiations with state witness Shlomo Filber. Netanyahu's lawyer presented documents suggesting such talks occurred without Mandelblit's explicit consent and an internal opinion criticizing an Israel Securities Authority official for exceeding his authority. The defense claims these points reveal fundamental flaws in the investigation of Case 4000.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit stated he did not approve plea deal negotiations with state witness Shlomo Filber.
- Netanyahu's lawyer presented a document detailing talks that Mandelblit described as sounding like plea negotiations.
- An internal legal opinion sharply criticized Israel Securities Authority official Eli Levi for alleged misconduct.
- The defense argues these revelations show significant flaws in the investigation of Case 4000.
- Mandelblit confirmed he was unaware of the critical legal opinion when investigation decisions were made.
During his cross-examination in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified that he did not approve plea deal negotiations with Shlomo Filber, who later became a state witness in Case 4000. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, presented a document detailing a conversation between officials from the Israel Securities Authority and the prosecution regarding how to respond to Filber. Mandelblit acknowledged that the conversation sounded like negotiations to recruit a state witness but stated he had not authorized it.
Haddad also presented an internal legal opinion that sharply criticized the conduct of Eli Levi, director of the investigation department at the Israel Securities Authority. The opinion alleged that Levi exceeded his authority and potentially breached his trust, acting with a lack of transparency and possibly for personal publicity. Mandelblit stated he was not aware of this opinion when decisions were made to expand the investigation.
The defense argued that these revelations indicate significant flaws in the investigation's foundation. They contend that discussions described as "plea deal negotiations," such as the one between prosecutor Liat Ben Ari and Eli Levi, proceeded without the Attorney General's explicit approval, suggesting investigators acted with excessive independence. The internal opinion further supports the defense's claim of a "targeted investigation" driven by improper considerations and a desire for favorable publicity, casting doubt on the evidence-gathering process for Case 4000.
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