Despite reports that an indictment has been filed against Joint List MK Basel Ghattas, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office tells The Times of Israel that the lawmaker will be given a chance to respond to the charges before the charges are officially leveled.
Ghattas is accused of smuggling phones and intelligence information to Palestinian terrorists serving time in Israeli prison.
Arab MK Basel Ghattas attends a remand hearing at Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court on December 23, 2016, a day after he was arrested for allegedly passing cell phones to convicted terrorists jailed in Israel. (AFP PHOTO/JACK GUEZ)
The indictment will only be filed after a hearing with Ghattas where he, or his lawyer, will be able to present the attorney general with reasons why he shouldn’t be charged.
Then, or if Ghattas turns down the invitation for a hearing, a final decision on the indictment will be made, the spokesperson says.
The indictment was sent to Ghattas and Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein for review.
Ghattas is not immediately available for comment.
— Raoul Wootliff
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