Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu appears in court for the first time

Reuters reported that on December 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court in Tel Aviv, marking his first court appearance related to corruption charges.

"I have waited eight years for the opportunity to tell the truth," Netanyahu told the judges in court. "Although I am also the prime minister, leading the country in a war on seven fronts. I think these two things can be done in parallel."

Netanyahu smiled confidently as he entered the Tel Aviv District Court. The trial, moved from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv for undisclosed security reasons, is taking place in an underground courtroom, a 15-minute walk from Israel's defense headquarters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu enters the district court in Tel Aviv at the start of a hearing on corruption charges, December 10. (Photo: Reuters)

Mr Netanyahu, 75, is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be impeached. He is the country's longest-serving leader, having been in power almost continuously since 2009.

Before Prime Minister Netanyahu went to court, defense lawyer Amit Hadad presented to the judges what the defense said were fundamental flaws in the investigation.

Outside the court, several dozen protesters gathered, some in support, others demanding he do more to negotiate the release of about 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israel has been waging a military campaign in Gaza against Hamas for more than a year. During this time, Netanyahu received a stay of trial. However, on December 5, judges ruled that he must appear in court.

Netanyahu will have to appear in court three times a week on bribery and fraud charges, the court said, despite the conflict in Gaza and possible new threats from widespread unrest in the Middle East, including in neighboring Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and allegations of favoritism to media moguls in exchange for favorable coverage. Netanyahu denies all charges.

The Israeli prime minister's domestic legal troubles deepened last month when the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for him and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, along with a Hamas leader, on charges of war crimes during the Gaza conflict.

Hoa Vu (Source: Reuters)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/thu-tuong-israel-netanyahu-lan-dau-hau-toa-ar912774.html