Netanyahu's Defense Team Seeks to Summon Close Aide to Testify
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's defense team has asked the Jerusalem District Court to summon media advisor Topaz Luk to testify in his trial on November 16. This request is part of a busy schedule for the upcoming week, which also includes testimony from retired police investigator Oded Ram on November 15 and lawyer Pini Rubin on November 17. The court also considered summoning the current Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, and discussed potential overseas testimony from businessman James Packer.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu's defense team requested Topaz Luk, a close aide, testify in his trial on November 16.
- Retired investigator Oded Ram is scheduled to testify on November 15 regarding Case 1000.
- Lawyer Pini Rubin, representing Arnon Milchan, is slated to testify on November 17.
- The court considered summoning current Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to testify.
- Testimony from businessman James Packer and his associates may occur outside Israel.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's legal defense team has requested that the Jerusalem District Court summon media advisor Topaz Luk, a close aide, to testify in Netanyahu's ongoing criminal trial. The request was revealed on Thursday, ahead of another week of hearings scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 15. Luk, who accompanies Netanyahu in his media activities and films his social media videos, is expected to testify on November 16. The specific subject of Luk's testimony has not been disclosed.
The defense's request to call Luk comes as part of a packed schedule for the upcoming week. On Sunday, November 15, retired police investigator Oded Ram, who worked on Case 1000, is slated to testify. On Tuesday, November 17, lawyer Pini Rubin, representing businessman Arnon Milchan, is scheduled to appear. Rubin was involved in a meeting concerning Milchan's tax affairs that took place at Yair Lapid's home when Lapid served as Finance Minister.
Details regarding the testimony of Ram and Rubin have also not been fully released, beyond their identities and scheduled dates. These developments follow the cross-examination of former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. During his testimony, Mandelblit was questioned by Netanyahu's lawyer, Amit Haddad, about approvals granted for investigating the connections between Netanyahu and the Israel Hayom newspaper. Mandelblit stated he had no knowledge of such an investigation line.
Separately, the court discussed the possibility of summoning the current Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, to testify. Judge Oded Shaham suggested the court might summon her independently, without a formal request. Prosecutor Judith Tirosh indicated that the prosecution's stance is that the Attorney General's appearance is not aligned with the prosecution's work procedures, though she assured the court that the AG is kept fully updated.
Additionally, the defense informed the court about potential arrangements for the testimony of businessman James Packer and his associates from outside Israel, possibly in the United States or Argentina, though no final location has been determined.
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