Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Netanyahu to be Charged in Corruption Cases, Pending Hearing

by Reuters

   JERUSALEM --

   Israel's attorney-general intends to indict Prime Minister Benjamin
   Netanyahu in three corruption cases, Israeli TV said on Thursday,
   citing the Justice Ministry.
   The reported decision, ahead of Israel's April 9 election, deepens
   uncertainty over Netanyahu's prospects in a tight race.
   The actual filing of the reported charges, which include bribery, fraud
   and breach of trust, will depend on the outcome of a required hearing.
   At that hearing - likely after the election - Netanyahu can try to
   persuade the attorney-general not to indict him.
   Netanyahu, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term, denies any
   wrongdoing. In the long-running investigations, he is suspected of
   wrongfully accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensing
   favors in alleged bids for favourable coverage by a newspaper and a
   website.
   Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party described the reported charges as
   "political persecution". It said the prime minister, who has vowed not
   to resign over the allegations, was due to deliver a statement at 8
   p.m.