Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies on Wiretaps of Netanyahu Associate

Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified for the sixth time in the corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on police investigation methods in the "Files of the Alphas" case. During the hearing at the Jerusalem District Court, Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, questioned Mandelblit about secret wiretaps placed on Natan Eshel, a close associate of the Prime Minister. Mandelblit stated he was angered by the wiretaps, which he had demanded be stopped, calling them unprecedented and expressing that such actions should have been brought to his attention beforehand. He recalled being asked if he sought an inquiry into the matter but did not remember his response.

Mandelblit emphasized the need for extreme caution when considering wiretapping individuals not holding official positions, especially those involved in the Prime Minister's political and state affairs, due to potential political implications. He explained his opposition to the wiretaps on Eshel unless there was suspicion linking him to offenses. Prosecutor Alon Gildin objected to further investigation into the wiretaps, arguing Mandelblit was unaware of them when they occurred. The judges questioned Haddad on this point, but he insisted it was part of a larger picture, suggesting that entire investigations against the Prime Minister were initiated without the Attorney General's approval.

Haddad presented a wiretap order that included offenses of bribery and obstruction of justice, questioning Mandelblit about the specific offenses he authorized for the "Israel Hayom" investigation. Mandelblit clarified that he provided general approval for "topics" under investigation, not for specific interrogations. Judge Moshe Bar-Am inquired about the investigators' discretion, and Mandelblit reiterated that while he is legally required to consent to the initiation of investigations and indictments are filed by his office, he is neither the investigator nor the prosecutor.

In a previous testimony, Haddad had questioned Mandelblit about investigation actions in Cases 1000 and 2000, aiming to show they lacked the former Attorney General's approval. Prosecutor Gildin had objected, warning that such detailed scrutiny could negatively impact future investigations. Haddad also presented quotes where Mandelblit had dismissed suspicions of the Prime Minister receiving benefits, asking why he authorized their investigation. Mandelblit explained that while investigations into ordinary citizens might not proceed, public officials, particularly the Prime Minister, cannot have such suspicions lingering. He stated that even if initial suspicions seemed far-fetched, they had to be investigated to either refute or establish them.