Netanyahu Trial: Defense Claims Police Hid Illegal Wiretaps

A sharp confrontation erupted in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial on Sunday, as his lawyer, Amit Haddad, accused the police and prosecution of conducting illegal wiretaps without the approval of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. Haddad alleged that crucial information about investigative actions was repeatedly concealed from the defense team.

During the hearing at the Jerusalem District Court, Mandelblit confirmed that the police had indeed carried out wiretaps without his prior authorization and that he was surprised to learn about it. When asked if he had demanded the wiretaps cease upon discovering them, he responded, "Correct, that's what I remember." Haddad argued this was not an isolated incident but involved entire investigative areas that lacked the Attorney General's approval.

"Contrary to what was said, not only was this hidden, it was hidden from us several times," Haddad stated. He announced his intention to present emails he claims will prove the wiretaps were halted due to a lack of proper authorization, contradicting earlier testimony. "There are entire subjects here, entire investigations into the Prime Minister that were opened without the Attorney General's approval," Haddad asserted, adding, "We will see the emails, that this was hidden from us, from the defense. It's possible one side of the trial had knowledge. Things were done unlawfully."

During the questioning, Mandelblit was shown documents detailing suspicions of bribery, obstruction of justice, and incitement. He responded that these types of offenses did not align with the subjects he had authorized for investigation, though he clarified his approvals were for general investigative themes, not specific offense clauses. The court accepted the prosecution's objection to Haddad's line of questioning, deeming Mandelblit unfamiliar with the full details of the wiretaps, and asked Haddad to proceed.

The defense's claims add to a series of arguments raised during Netanyahu's trial concerning the opening of the "Case of the Decades," the scope of police authorizations, and the legality of investigative actions. The defense aims to establish significant flaws in law enforcement conduct that could impact the ongoing legal proceedings. The court has yet to rule on the allegations of concealed materials and unlawful investigative actions.