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Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies on Netanyahu Trial, Cites Unease Over Journalist's Police Ties
Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified on Wednesday in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial, addressing allegations of unauthorized police connections with journalist Ben Caspit. During cross-examination by defense attorney Amit Hadad, Mandelblit stated he was unaware of police using Caspit to gather information on Netanyahu and had not authorized such activities. He expressed deep discomfort with the situation, stating he felt the journalist was operating the police rather than the police conducting the investigation.
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What happened
- 01Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit testified on Wednesday in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding police ties to journalist Ben Caspit.
- 02Mandelblit stated he was unaware of police using Caspit to gather intelligence on Netanyahu and never authorized using a journalist as an investigative tool.
- 03The former Attorney General expressed concern that Caspit was operating the police rather than the police conducting the investigation.
- 04Defense attorney Amit Hadad claimed police officer Eran Kamin met with Caspit starting in November 2015 to gather information on Netanyahu.
- 05Mandelblit confirmed he requested that police cease contact with Caspit after feeling the journalist was acting as an extension of the police.
- 06Mandelblit acknowledged suspicions of leaks from law enforcement aimed at pressuring him to advance the investigations, though he lacked proof.
- 07The testimony addressed the timing of investigative actions in Case 1000 and Case 4000, as well as a planned discussion with journalist Dana Weiss.
The defense presented claims that police officer Eran Kamin maintained contact with Caspit as early as November 2015, allegedly asking him to hire a private investigator, collect information on Netanyahu, and record individuals without their knowledge. Mandelblit clarified that investigators are forbidden from using journalists as an extended arm of the police, which could circumvent the required approvals for investigating a prime minister. He noted that he had requested the police to cease contact with Caspit due to this perceived role reversal.
Additionally, Mandelblit confirmed suspicions of leaks from law enforcement or the prosecution aimed at pressuring him to advance the investigations against the prime minister, though he lacked proof at the time. He asserted that he did not succumb to this pressure, instead maintaining a cautious approach. The testimony also touched upon the timing of investigative actions in Case 1000 and Case 4000, and Mandelblit's planned background discussion with journalist Dana Weiss.
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Ex-AG Mandelblit Testifies on Netanyahu Trial, Cites Unease Over Journalist's Police Ties
