The Prime Minister's corruption case will be held twice for retrial next year

  An Israeli judge made a ruling on the 19th, and the next trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption case is scheduled for January next year.

  Netanyahu is 70 years old. As the first Israeli prime minister to be tried, the court did not ask him to appear in court that day. He previously denied the prosecution's allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

  This case first opened on May 24 this year. Due to the new crown epidemic prevention and control requirements, the court hearing that day did not allow the media to listen. Netanyahu requested a live broadcast of the trial process on TV during the first trial, but the court did not approve the media live broadcast during the second trial on the 19th.

  Agence France-Presse reported that the prosecution summoned more than 300 witnesses to testify against Netanyahu. The case was initially scheduled to open in March this year, but was postponed to May due to the epidemic.

  The trial documents obtained by Agence France-Presse show that the Jerusalem District Court Judge Lifka Friedman-Feldman appointed the trial schedule for the case: the trial will begin in January next year, three times a week, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

  The judge also made it clear that Netanyahu must confirm his plea in writing before October 18. The prosecution accused Netanyahu of accepting "inappropriate" gifts and attempting to enter into private deals with media tycoons in exchange for positive reports.

  Netanyahu’s lawyers previously applied to the court to postpone the case for six months so that the defense has sufficient time to prepare. In addition, his lawyer hinted that in view of the current "mask order", witnesses wearing protective masks in court make it difficult for the defense to judge the authenticity of their testimony.

  In the trial on the 19th, Netanyahu’s lawyer said: “When I wear a mask and the witness also wears a mask, how do we cross-examine each other, I don’t know whether the judge is happy or angry.” The judge replied, if The "mask order" in January next year is still in effect, and the defense, prosecution and court will have to accept reality.

  Israeli law professor Gad Barzilay previously predicted that the trial procedures for this case will be "lengthy and tedious." Netanyahu's lawyers may seek extensions through procedures such as requesting more prosecution documents and seeking state legal support. He predicted that "the prosecution may complete all procedures in about 2 to 3 years."

  Agence France-Presse reported that after Netanyahu's previous application to accept private sponsorship to pay for lawyers was rejected, one of his defense team's main lawyers terminated his contract last week.

  According to Israeli law, the crime of accepting bribes is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment, and the crimes of fraud and breach of trust are punishable by up to 3 years’ imprisonment. (Tian Ye) (Xinhua News Agency Special Feature)