JERUSALEM, March 5 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former top adviser Nir Hefetz signed a state's witness agreement Monday in a high-profile corruption case involving the Israeli leader, officials said.
A police spokesperson said the deal with Nir Hefetz, a former media adviser for Netanyahu and his wife and the couple's close confidant, was signed on Sunday night.
Hefetz was released to a house arrest on Sunday after spending two weeks of detention in jail, during which he was investigated by the police's Lahav 433 special anti-corruption unit.
Israeli media reported that under the deal, Hefetz will give the police audio records involving at least three corruption affairs in which Netanyahu is a suspect. In return, Hefetz will receive full immunity: He will not stand to trial, spend time in jail, or be required to pay a fine.
The deal casts a long shadow on the visit of Netanyahu in Washington, where he is due to meet later Monday with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The move was widely described by local media as a dramatic development against the long-time Israeli prime minister.
Hefetz, considered to be one of his most loyal associates, was described also as Netanyahu's "spin doctor."
Hefetz is a suspect in two criminal cases. In the so-called "case 4000," he is suspected of being part of a bribery deal, in which Israel's largest telecom company, Bezeq, received regulatory and financial benefits from the Communication Ministry, which Netanyahu headed between 2017 and 2017, in addition to his capacity as prime minister.
In return, Walla, a news site controlled by Bezeq's control-holder, Shaul Elovitch, allegedly refrained from criticizing Netanyahu and gave him and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, positive coverage.
In the second case, dubbed by the police "case 1270," Hefetz allegedly tried to bribe Judge Hila Gerstal in 2017, who was a candidate for the position of the attorney general, offering her the office in exchange for dropping a case against Sara Netanyahu.
Hefetz, 52, served as Netanyhau's media adviser between 2017 and 2017. He kept close ties with the Netanyahus also after leaving the job.
He is the third associate who turns against Netanyahu, who denies any wrongdoing and charges he is a victim of a witch-hunt carried out by the media and "the left."
Netanyahu and his associates are suspected to be involved in at least five criminal corruption cases.
Last month, Israeli police recommended to indict Netanyahu for a series of serious corruption charges including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in two other cases, "case 1000" and "case 2000."
In "case 1000," Netanyahu and his family allegedly received expensive cigars, champagne, and jewelry in a sum amounting to about one million shekels (about 282,800 dollars) from the Israeli businessman and Hollywood tycoon, Arnon Milchan, and Australian businessman, James Packer, between 2007 and 2016.
In "case 2000," Netanyahu allegedly received bribes from Arnon Mozes, the publisher of Yedioth Aharonoth, one of Israel's largest newspapers. According to the police, Netanyahu and Mozes held talks over an "exchange deal," in which Netanyahu would receive favorable coverage in Yediot Aharonot in return for promoting a law and other measures that would limit the distribution of Israel Hayom, Yedioth's main rival.
On Friday, Netanyahu and his wife were questioned for the first time in the "case 4000."
Netanyahu was questioned at the official Prime Minister's Residency in Jerusalem and Sara Netanyahu was questioned at the Lahav433 anti-corruption unit outside Tel Aviv.
The investigations sparked speculations that Netanyahu might call for early elections to reaffirm his public support. Opinion polls last Friday showed that his party, the Likud, maintains its power and would win the elections, despite the corruption suspicions.
2011年实用口语练习:“淘金热”
2011年实用口语练习:课余阅读
2011年实用口语练习:Join a club 社团活动
2011年实用口语练习:别想宰我,我识货
2011年实用口语练习:我是无辜的
2011年实用口语练习:睡或不睡
如何用英文表达“欣赏,感激”
9句狠话教你怎么用英语让人“滚开”
2011年实用口语练习:今天我做东
2011年实用口语练习:说客 拾人牙慧
2011年实用口语练习:歉意如何说出口 1
2011年实用口语练习:出恭的各种表达
2011年实用口语练习:5=击掌?
如何提高英语口语
2011年实用口语练习:“挑刺儿”
2011年实用口语练习:At the post office 在邮局
2011年实用口语练习:各种哭的说法(一)
如何用英语表达“原来啊…”
如何用英文表达“满意”
2011年实用口语练习:高铁开通了
2011年实用口语练习:昙花一现式的一夜成名
实用口语:关于衣服的必备短语
2011年实用口语练习:与天气有关的口语(下)
英语口语:怎样放“狠话”让对方离你远点
2011年实用口语练习:各种睡不着
如何用英文表达“你活该”
2011年实用口语练习:Select courses 选课
英语口语-商业谨致问候语
2011年实用口语练习:遮人耳目
口语情景对话:走遍美国精选 偷得浮生半日闲ACT 1 - 2
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |