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This request from Mr. Netanyahu’s team of lawyers, which was taken into account by the AFP news agency, was made after the Ministry of Justice objected to the possibility that the veteran prime minister missed the first hearing, which It will take place on May 24.
Netanyahu’s lawyers wrote that the prime minister would need five bodyguards to appear in court. This means that the meeting could not take place “within the limits established by the Ministry of Health to protect against the threat of COVID-19”.
The prime minister’s team of lawyers asked the Jerusalem court to release the accused from appearing in court after discussing the matter with the Ministry of Justice.
However, such a request can only be granted by the Jerusalem court that is hearing the case, which has previously stated that the presence of Mr. Netanyahu at that hearing is necessary.
Earlier Tuesday, Israel’s justice ministry said the prime minister should not be relieved of his duty to attend the first court hearing scheduled for next week.
The Ministry of Justice, in a statement two days after the inauguration of the unity government, called attention to the “importance of justice and public confidence” in the trial.
Netanyahu, accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, was due to start the trial in March, but was adjourned until May 24 for coronavirus.
In its statement, the Ministry of Justice reiterated its previous position that “it sees no reason to deviate from a known court ruling on the defendant’s participation.”
Netanyahu denies the allegations of accepting inappropriate expensive gifts and proposing changes to existing laws in exchange for favorable media coverage.
He is the first prime minister in Israel’s history to be charged in office.
Netanyahu, the Jewish prime minister since 2009, extended his unprecedented term on Sunday after a new coalition government was sworn in to the Israeli parliament for three years, ending more than 500 days of political stalemate.
Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing Likud party, will lead the government for a year and a half, and will then be replaced by former rival Benny Gantz.
B. Netanyahu’s trial, including possible appeals, can take several years.
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