Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicted on corruption charges
By LEONARD GREENE
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS | NOV 21, 2019
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (ABIR SULTAN/AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted Thursday on a series of corruption charges including fraud, breach of trust and bribery capping three years of investigation that has stymied the political process.
Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit ended months of speculation by handing down the 63-page indictment against, Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, who is accused with his wife of accepting more than $260,000 worth of luxury goods in exchange for political favors.
He is also accused of interceding with regulators and lawmakers to help two media companies in exchange for positive news stories.
Mandelblit was scheduled to detail his decision to reporters later in the day.
Mandelblit is Netanyahu’s former cabinet secretary.
Netanyahu is the first Israeli premier to be indicted while in office .
He has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and said he is a victim of a politically orchestrated "witch hunt" by the media and the left, sentiments echoed across the Atlantic by President Trump in midst of impeachment hearings against him.
Netanyahu had hoped to pass legislation that would prevent him from being indicted but has been unable to do so because he failed to form Israel’s next government following the Sept. 17 election.
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Six years ago, Netanyahu was criticized for reportedly spending $127,000 in public funds for a special sleeping cabin for a five-and-a-half hour flight to London for Margaret Thatcher's funeral.
Netanyahu could face a 10-year prison sentence if found guilty of bribery. Fraud and breach of trust are punishable by a maximum of three years in prison.
Netanyahu, 70, still has the option to ask the Israeli Parliament for immunity. Under Israeli law, Netanyahu is not required to resign. But Netanyahu, a caretaker prime minister, is expected to request parliamentary immunity.
With News Wire Services
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