From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Police work in Netanyahu probes done — report
Police work in criminal probes against Netanyahu have all been completed, Israel’s Hadashot news reports, quoting a senior legal source.
Investigators will now work on completing recommendations to the attorney general on whether to indict and under what charges in the three cases.
Police previously recommended charges in Case 1000, in which Netanyahu is suspected of taking expensive gifts, and Case 2000, in which he is suspected of attempting to reach a deal with a publisher to hobble a rival publication.
The police will amend those recommendations based on new evidence and also offer a recommendation in Case 4000, in which the prime minister is suspected of trading political favors for positive press coverage.
“This time we will surprise everyone,” the source reportedly said, referring to the speed in which the attorney general will complete his work on the cases and present his decision on whether to indict the prime minister.
The attorney general’s decision could come as early as Spring 2019, according to the channel.
The case is widely seen as influencing Netanyahu’s decision over whether to call new elections, which he is likely to seek before any indictment comes down. Elections are currently scheduled for November 2019.
The Times of Israel Community.