Israel’s AG files official indictment against PM Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem December 1, 2019. (Reuters)

• The indictment was made public on Monday, charging Netanyahu with bribery

JERUSALEM: Israel’s attorney general has officially submitted his indictment against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, giving him 30 days to appeal for immunity.
The 77-page indictment was made public on Monday, charging the longtime Israeli leader with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases. It marks the first time in Israeli history a sitting prime minister has been charged with a crime.
Israel’s political system is in disarray following the second inconclusive election of the year, making it unlikely Netanyahu would ask — or receive — parliamentary immunity from prosecution.
The indictment says he will stand trial in a Jerusalem district court and also names 333 witnesses the attorney general may call upon to testify at the trial.
Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and has rejected calls to resign.