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The Attorney General of Israel announced on Thursday night the indictment of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu for corruption, fraud and breach of trust in various cases.
With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Michel Paul
This indictment is a first for an incumbent Israeli prime minister. Benyamin Netanyahu is charged in three different cases. He faces three counts: corruption, fraud and breach of trust. He risks for the first leader up to ten years in prison and up to three years for the other two.
The most sensitive issue concerns that of the Bezeq telecom company. Justice suspects Benyamin Netanyahu of having granted government favors that could have brought millions of dollars to the company's manager, in exchange for favorable media coverage by one of the group's media, the news website Walla .
The prime minister, who has been doing routine business since the last parliamentary elections, is also suspected of illegally accepting some $ 265,000 in gifts. The Likud leader denies having committed any offense.
The law in Israel does not oblige the Prime Minister to resign in case of indictment. Only in the event of conviction could he be compelled to do so. But it could take years. While the Israeli parliament is now mandated to choose a new candidate for the post of prime minister, after the failure of Benyamin Netanayhu and Benny Gantz to form a government, Gideon Sa'ar said he was ready to take the lead Likud against Mr. Netanyahu.