Israel police question PM Netanyahu in corruption case
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who is already under investigation for two cases of corruption, was questioned by the police for the first time in another corruption case involving communications giant Bezeq. In the latest probe, Case 4000, police allege that owners of Bezeq Israel Telecom provided positive coverage of the PM and his wife in return for business favors. Here are the probe details.
About Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu, now in this fourth term as Israel PM, is a dominant political figure. He has been in power since 2009. Along with his first term (1996-99), he has held the premiership for 12 years. He is also the leader of right-wing Likud party.
Corruption cases against the Netanyahu
Corruption allegations against Netanyahu first surfaced in 2016 and official investigations into it began in Jan 2017. He was questioned several times in two separate probes, Case 1000 and Case 2000. In Case 1000, Netanyahu is suspected of accepting luxury gifts from two wealthy businessmen in exchange for favors and Case 2000 involves quid pro quo deal with country's top newspaper for positive coverage.
Netanyahu's former Chief-of-Staff agrees to testify
The criminal investigations against Netanyahu too a serious leap forward when in Aug 2017, his former Chief-of-Staff, Ari Harrow agreed to testify against the PM.
Netanyahu denies the allegations
Now at the center of three corruption probes, Netanyahu denies any wrong doing calling the allegation against him a 'witch-hunt.' While police recommended he be indicted, the decision depends on the attorney-general. As it stands, PM's governing coalition partners stand by him, and await attorney-general's next steps. Meanwhile, Bezeq Telecom's controlling shareholder Shual Elovitch along with a former Netanyahu spokesperson are in police custody.
