Netanyahu Trial: Ex-AG Mandelblit's Testimony Reveals Investigation Lapses
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, revealing that Netanyahu was not explicitly warned of bribery suspicions in Case 4000. Mandelblit also confirmed a violation of law regarding police contact with journalist Ben Caspit and that testimony in Case 1000 was taken without prior approval. The defense is probing whether evidence was gathered before necessary approvals were obtained.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former AG Mandelblit testified Netanyahu wasn't warned of bribery in Case 4000.
- Mandelblit called the warning phrasing "convoluted" and potentially misleading.
- Contact between police and journalist Ben Caspit violated law, Mandelblit confirmed.
- Key testimony in Case 1000 was taken without prior Attorney General approval.
- Netanyahu's defense seeks to prove evidence was gathered without proper consent.
Testimony from former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has brought to light significant procedural lapses in the investigations, particularly concerning Case 4000 (the Bezeq-Walla affair). Astonishingly, Mandelblit acknowledged that Netanyahu was never explicitly warned he was suspected of bribery during his interrogations in this case. Instead, the warning stated he was suspected of receiving benefits "in connection with his role," a phrasing Mandelblit described as "convoluted" and potentially intended to obscure the actual offense.
The distinction between receiving benefits "in connection with" one's role, which could be a breach of trust (up to three years imprisonment), and receiving them "for the performance of duties," which constitutes bribery (up to ten years), is legally significant. While the bribery charge in Case 4000 is no longer directly relevant as the indictment is already filed, the manner of the warning raises questions about the investigative unit's conduct and Mandelblit's oversight.
Further revelations concerned the relationship between senior police investigators and journalist Ben Caspit. Mandelblit confirmed that a senior police officer's meeting with Caspit, initially downplayed by the officer, constituted a violation of Basic Law: Government, which prohibits investigating the Prime Minister without the Attorney General's consent. Mandelblit admitted he had previously sought to halt contact with Caspit, sensing the journalist was leveraging the connection with investigators rather than the other way around.
Another procedural issue emerged regarding Case 1000 (the "Gifts Affair"), where a key action, taking the testimony of Hadas Klein, which led to charges of a "supply chain" of cigars and champagne, was conducted without prior approval. Mandelblit's testimony is expected to continue, with Netanyahu's defense attorneys focusing on whether crucial evidence was obtained before the Attorney General's approval for investigations was granted.
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