Netanyahu: Attorney-General: Attorney-General opens hearing in president’s alleged corruption cases

Israeli Attorney-General, Avichai Mandelblit, on Wednesday opened a series of pre-indictment hearings to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of possible criminal indictments over corruption, according to the Department of Justice.

Xinhua reports that Netanyahu will not attend the hearing and will be represented by a team of about ten of Israel’s top lawyers.

Upon arriving at the Justice Ministry, where the hearings are being held, Ram Caspi, one of Netanyahu’s lawyers, told newsmen that he has absolute confidence in the legal system.

He added that he believes there is a strong base for changing the allegations against his client.

Police alleged that Netanyahu, as communication minister, granted regulatory favours to Israel’s leading telecommunications company, Bezeq, in return for more positive coverage on Walla, a news website belonging to the firm’s owner.

Netanyahu is also accused of negotiating a deal with the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper for better coverage in return for promises to limit the circulation of a rival.