Attorney General Testifies in Netanyahu Trial, Addresses Investigation Approvals
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified Tuesday in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirming he approved investigations into the premier. Mandelblit stated he remembered approving investigations under caution for breach of trust and explicitly for bribery in Case 4000. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, challenged the approval's nature and stated Netanyahu was not explicitly cautioned about bribery. Mandelblit confirmed Netanyahu was never explicitly warned he was suspected of bribery.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Mandelblit confirmed he approved investigations into Netanyahu under caution.
- The Attorney General recalled approving investigations for breach of trust and bribery.
- Netanyahu's lawyer questioned the validity of the investigation approval.
- Mandelblit confirmed Netanyahu was never explicitly cautioned about bribery.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit returned to the witness stand on Tuesday in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the proceedings, Mandelblit addressed the approvals for investigating the prime minister, stating, "I remember approving the investigation of the prime minister under caution in 1000, 2000, and 4000 in two different timeframes." Prosecutor Judith Tirosh clarified that the agreement was for the Attorney General to present his version of the approval process, not on submitted documents. Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, challenged the nature of the approval, questioning its validity and stating, "According to their approach, this is an approval they tried to trick us into thinking is the Attorney General's approval to open an investigation. What approval is there here? This is investigation material." Haddad read from a document, quoting, "You said it's best to investigate the prime minister concurrently with everyone." Mandelblit reiterated his memory of approving the investigation under caution for breach of trust, and explicitly for bribery in Case 4000, though he did not recall the specific wording of the caution. He added that he wished to retain discretion between bribery and breach of trust, noting that the phrasing was more suited to breach of trust but could lead to other conclusions. Haddad countered that after the initial investigation, Netanyahu was informed he was suspected of fraud and breach of trust, not bribery. Mandelblit confirmed that Netanyahu was never explicitly cautioned that he was suspected of bribery.