Israeli court orders Netanyahu to take stand in his long-running corruption trial

AP , Wednesday 4 Dec 2024

An Israeli court has ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take the stand next week in his long-running corruption trial, ending a long series of delays.

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(FILES) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.AFP

 

Netanyahu’s lawyers had filed multiple requests to put off the testimony, arguing first that the war in Gaza prevented him from properly preparing for his testimony, and later that his security could not be guaranteed in the court chamber.

In Tuesday’s decision, judges in the occupied Jerusalem district court said that following a security assessment, his testimony will be moved to the Tel Aviv district court.

Israeli media said the session would take place in an underground chamber.

His testimony in the trial, which began in 2020, is expected to begin on Dec. 10 and to last at least several weeks.

Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate scandals involving powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. 

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