Israeli PM Netanyahu's corruption trial resumes

Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-05 23:19:04|Editor: huaxia
 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) is seen as he arrives for an opening arguments of the prosecution at the Jerusalem District Court in Jerusalem, on April 5, 2021. Netanyahu's criminal trial over corruption charges resumed on Monday. (Oren Ben Hakoon/ JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial over corruption charges resumed on Monday.

Netanyahu arrived at the Jerusalem District Court for the opening arguments of the prosecution after the judges rejected his request not to attend the session.

The lead prosecutor, Liat Ben-Ari, accused Netanyahu of abusing his power to receive favors and expensive gifts. "The relationship between Netanyahu and the defendants became currency, something that could be traded," she said. "The currency could distort a public servant's judgment."

Netanyahu left immediately after Ben-Ari concluded her remarks.

The session then began hearing the testimony of the first witness in the trial, Ilan Yeshua, a former CEO of Walla news site.

Yeshua is involved in a case dubbed as Case 4000, in which Netanyahu is accused of giving regulatory and financial benefits to Shaul Elovitch, the former control-holder of Walla and Bezeq, Israel's largest telecom company, in return for favorable coverage on Walla.

In another case dubbed Case 1000, Netanyahu and his family allegedly received expensive cigars, champagne, and jewellery worth about 1 million new shekels (300,000 U.S. dollars) from the Israeli businessman and Hollywood tycoon, Arnon Milchan, between 2007 and 2016.

In Case 2000, Netanyahu and Arnon Mozes, publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, one of Israel's largest newspapers, allegedly talked over an exchange deal, in which Netanyahu would receive favorable coverage in Yedioth Ahronoth.

Netanyahu has denied all allegations against him as a witch-hunt that aims to topple him.

Dozens of protesters rallied outside the court, calling on the longtime leader to resign, while supporters and lawmakers with Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party gathered in a counter-rally and held signs accusing the prosecution of a witch-hunt. Enditem

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