Netanyahu associates reject prosecutors’ claims about spying in corruption case

Associates of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reject claims by state prosecutors that instances of improper spying on witnesses in his corruption trial are irrelevant.

“We completely reject the claims of the prosecutors and the police,” his associates say in a statement released to Israeli media. “It’s unacceptable for investigators to investigate themselves without anyone being questioned and without revealing to the public the information obtained through illegal spying.”

They suggest the findings are “just the tip of the iceberg in police spying against Israeli citizens.”

Earlier today, prosecutors in the case told the court that their initial probe found that only one person linked to the case — Shlomo Filber — was improperly spied on by police, but that no relevant information was found or used, and therefore the trial should proceed.