News / Palestine

Israeli court allows police to call for corruption indictment of PM

Tuesday, 13 February 2018 5:44 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 13 February 2018 6:36 AM ]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo by AFP)

Israel’s Supreme Court has authorized police to make recommendations regarding the indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges, rejecting a petition that had been filed to block those recommendations.

Right-wing attorney Yossi Fuchs had filed the petition last week, asking the top court to prevent police from publicly recommending to the attorney general to indict Netanyahu in the graft probes.

The tribunal, however, dismissed the petition on Monday, saying that it had previously passed judgment on the system of recommendations and upheld its lawfulness.

“There is no reason to interfere,” read the court ruling, meaning the police recommendations can now be forwarded.

Netanyahu is suspected of being involved in bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

He has been questioned in two separate cases, involving allegations that he received lavish gifts from wealthy businessmen and negotiated a deal with a newspaper owner for more favorable coverage. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Speaking before the court ruling, Fuchs claimed that his petition was a demand for “justice,” but also admitted it was meant to protect Netanyahu’s right-wing administration.

A poll conducted by Hadashot TV news last December showed that 60 percent of Israelis say Netanyahu should step down if police recommend an indictment against him.

PressTV-Israeli protesters urge ‘Crime Minister' Netanyahu to quit

Some 2,000 Israelis take to the streets of Tel Aviv to demand the resignation of PM Benjamin Netanyahu over a series of corruption scandals.

Israelis have been holding weekly protests to demand Netanyahu’s resignation over the corruption scandals, but the premier has described the events as part of efforts meant to topple him “at any cost.”

Last week, Netanyahu lashed out at Israeli police over their handling of the graft probes. This came after Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich said that officers investigating Netanyahu had been put under pressure.

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