Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit refused on Sunday a request made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal defense team to receive the full investigation material in the three corruption cases against Israel's leader.
Mandelblit said that Netanyahu will receive the files only after the indictment is handed over to the court.
The process of filing the indictment to court is being delayed by Netanyahu's request to receive immunity from prosecution. Mandelblit cannot start trial proceedings until the special committee votes on the immunity request.
In a fiery response, the prime minister slammed the attorney general, saying “how can one fight for the truth if the material show extortion under threat of state witnesses, selective law enforcement and setting judicial precedents unheard of in mankind's history is hidden?”
“Anyone acting in a non-transparent manner probably wants to attain a result that was planned in advance,” Netanyahu added.
According to Mandelblit, “at this stage, the essence of the investigation files is in [the lawyers’] hands and on its basis, they made their different arguments during the hearing process and in regard to the immunity [request]."
“These files contain all the investigations of the suspects,” Mandelblit continued.
“Hundreds of testimonies, tens of thousands of investigation transcripts, recordings, accounting material… that form the essence of the investigation files regarding your client.”
Netanyahu is indicted for breach of trust, fraud, and bribery.
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Knesset Sorting Committee voting on assembly of House Committee
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky )
Knesset approved last week the establishment of a special committee which will deliberate on the request made by Netanyahu to receive immunity from prosecution. The committee is set to convene sometime this week.