Graphic shows corruption allegations facing Benjamin Netanyahu.
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ISRAEL

Corruption allegations facing Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu

By Mike Tyler

December 4, 2018 - Israeli police have recommended indicting Benjamin Netanyahu on bribery charges, adding to a catalogue of legal troubles that have clouded the Israeli Prime Minister’s prospects for re-election in 2019.

Netanyahu’s fate now lies in the hands of his attorney general, who will decide in the coming months whether the prime minister should stand trial on a host of corruption allegations that could play a central role in next year’s election campaign.

The latest allegations follow a lengthy investigation into a case involving Netanyahu’s relationship with Shaul Elovitch, the controlling shareholder of Israel’s telecom giant Bezeq. Netanyahu is suspected of granting regulatory favours to Bezeq in return for positive press coverage of him and his wife Sara on the company’s popular news site Walla.

Police said they believed there was sufficient evidence to charge Netanyahu and his wife with accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust. They also recommended charges be brought against Elovitch, members of his family and members of his Bezeq management team.

Police have already recommended indicting Netanyahu on corruption charges in two other cases. One involves accepting gifts from billionaire friends, and the second revolves around alleged offers of advantageous legislation for a major newspaper in return for favourable coverage.

The prime minister has denied any wrongdoing.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 04/12/2018; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Associated Press, Getty Images
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