Israel's attorney general accuses Netanyahu of bribery and fraud

Occupied Jerusalem-Sana

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's attorney-general on Wednesday charged corruption with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's outgoing Israeli government.

"The charges include involvement in bribery, dishonesty and fraud," Attorney General Avishai Mandelblit said in a statement.

The outgoing Israeli prime minister could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bribery and a maximum of three years for fraud and breach of trust.

Last year, the Israeli authorities began an investigation into corruption cases in which Netanyahu is being prosecuted, one related to receiving gifts and the other over suspicions of a deal with Yediot Aharonot publisher Noni Moses.

Earlier this week, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted political sources as saying that Netanyahu's lawyers had advised him to go to a third election because the move would give him more time to deal with his corruption files and give him the opportunity to manage his files before law enforcement authorities. ”.