Mandelblit Testifies: Suspected Leaks Aimed to Pressure PM Investigation Approvals

The former attorney general testified that leaks were meant to force Netanyahu's investigation, as the defense demanded full disclosure of investigative approvals.

In his continuing testimony in court, former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit stated that he suspected at the time that officials in the police and the State Attorney's Office leaked information to pressure him into authorizing the investigation of the prime minister, ynet and The Jerusalem Post reported. Mandelblit added that he felt journalist Ben Caspit was "operating the police" during the inquiries.

Mandelblit, testifying for the defense, also confirmed he was unaware at the time that a senior investigator had maintained a relationship with Judy Nir Moses, noting that the investigator should have been removed from the case. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu's defense team demanded the full disclosure of all investigative authorizations granted in the proceedings.