Jerusalem, November 23, : , A crucial prosecution witness in the corruption trial against Benjamin Netanyahu has begun to testify in court. Reports Xinhua that Nir Hefetz was a former adviser media to Netanyahu and gave his testimony Monday at Jerusalem District Court.
Hefetz called Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister, a “control freak”, obsessed with his image in the media, Israel’s state-owned Kan TV News reported.
He told the court that Netanyahu had spent as much time as security matters on media.
According to the prosecution, Netanyahu was accused of abuse of power during his time as the premier and communication minister between 2014-2017.
The case is known as Case 4000.
Netanyahu was accused of providing financial and regulatory benefits to Shaul Elowitz, the ex-control-holder at Walla and Bezeq Israel’s biggest telecom company in exchange for favorable coverage.
Netanyahu was also present in court but left shortly after the start of the testimony.
In three cases, he is being tried on charges including fraud, bribery and breach of trust.
All the accusations were denied by him, and he claimed they were part of a witch hunt.
In May 2020, he was granted bail.
Netanyahu was the first prime minister to be indicted for criminal offenses while still in office.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving leader was ousted this year.He had been in office for 12 years.
ksk/ #Testimony #begins #witness #Netanyahus #trial
.
