From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Report: Prosecutors could close Case 2000, nix Netanyahu bribery charge in plea deal
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State prosecutors are willing to massively reduce the charges against former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the sides discuss a possible plea deal, Channel 12 reports.
According to the network, the prosecution is willing to close one of the cases against Netanyahu — Case 2000, in which he is accused of attempting to reach a quid pro quo with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes for positive media coverage.
They are also said willing to remove the bribery charge in Case 4000 — the most serious charge Netanyahu faces. In the case, he is alleged to have worked to illicitly and lucratively benefit the business interests of controlling shareholder of the Bezeq media company Shaul Elovitch in exchange for positive coverage on the Walla news site owned by Elovitch.
And they are also reportedly willing to soften the charges in Case 1000 to remove allegations of fraud and leave only breach of trust charges.
The network says the gaps between the sides are very narrow, with the central question being Netanyahu’s future in politics — whether he will immediately quit the Knesset or do so after a verdict is given.
It also says it is a distinct possibility that a plea deal will be signed within days, before Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit leaves office at the end of the month.
The Times of Israel Community.