Ex-AG Mandelblit's Testimony Raises Questions on Netanyahu Probe Legality
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's testimony in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial has raised questions about the legality of investigative actions in Case 4000. Netanyahu's lawyer presented evidence suggesting investigators collected information before Mandelblit's official approval. Mandelblit confirmed he did not authorize the probe in mid-2017 and was unaware of some collected materials. The testimony touched on issues like backdated documents, withheld information, and the recruitment of a state witness.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former AG Mandelblit testified he did not authorize Netanyahu's investigation in mid-2017.
- Netanyahu's lawyer presented evidence of alleged premature evidence collection.
- Mandelblit admitted unawareness of some documents and actions presented.
- Testimony raised questions about investigators' adherence to legal procedures.
- The defense highlighted potential issues with search warrants and document handling.
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's testimony in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial has brought to light potential irregularities in the investigation of Case 4000. Netanyahu's defense attorney, Amit Haddad, presented documents and communications suggesting that evidence was collected before Mandelblit officially authorized a probe into the Prime Minister.
Mandelblit confirmed that he did not grant approval for an investigation into Netanyahu in June and July 2017, and admitted to not being aware of some of the actions and documents presented. This raises questions regarding the legality of investigative actions under laws like the Basic Law: The Government, which stipulates that a criminal investigation against the Prime Minister requires the Attorney General's consent.
Haddad argued that investigators were already gathering materials related to Walla! news site's coverage of Netanyahu during this period, even presenting a binder labeled "Walla! - Sensitive Material" that Mandelblit claimed not to recognize. The defense also pointed to a search warrant issued in June 2017 for Iris Elovitch's home and phone, alleging it was used to find information on Walla! without proper authorization.
Further claims included documents allegedly backdated, information withheld from Mandelblit, and a questionable interrogation tactic used on former state witness Nir Hefetz. Mandelblit acknowledged issues with a search of Prime Minister's residence logs for meetings with Shaul Elovitch without an expanded warrant and admitted that a specific prosecutor might have been leaking information. He also commented on the negotiation process to recruit Shlomo Filber as a state witness, interpreting it as a "state witness negotiation."
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