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Israel’s attorney general to withhold evidence from Netanyahu’s lawyers until after election

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced he would not deliver evidence to Netanyahu’s attorneys related to several corruption cases until after the elections to avoid media leaks.

By Associated Press

Israel’s attorney general says he will only release material from the corruption investigations to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the country’s April 9 election.

The Justice Ministry said in a statement Monday that Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit agreed to delay handing over evidence in the corruption cases to Netanyahu’s attorneys until after the elections out of concern over media leaks.

Mandelblit recommended criminal charges against Netanyahu in three corruption cases last month, shaking up re-election prospects for the long-serving Israeli leader.

Charges can only be filed after a hearing. The Justice Ministry said that would take place by July 10.

The charges include allegations that he accepted gifts from billionaire friends, and promoted beneficial regulations for a telecom magnate in exchange for positive coverage on a news site. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing.