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Israeli Police: Netanyahu Is Suspect in Fraud Investigation

BIBI UNDER FIRE

Pressure on PM intensifies as his former chief of staff turns state’s witness.

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Amir Cohen/Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the subject of an investigation into allegations of “fraud, breach of trust, and bribes,” Israeli police have confirmed. Meanwhile, news broke early Friday that Netanyahu’s former chief of staff, Ari Harow, reached a deal with prosecutors to become a state’s witness in the corruption cases against Netanyahu. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. The accusations were confirmed in police documents provided to a court by detectives Thursday. It marks the first time Netanyahu has been publicly confirmed as a suspect in such a case. Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, was also interviewed by police this week in a separate investigation probing household costs in the PM’s home. “We completely reject the unfounded claims made against the prime minister,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s team. “The campaign to change the government is underway, but it is destined to fail, for a simple reason: There won’t be anything because there was nothing.”

Read it at The Guardian