Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty to corruption charges when his trial resumed on Monday, about six weeks before Israeli voters reassessed his leadership.
“I confirm the written response sent on my behalf,” Netanyahu said before a three-judge panel at a Jerusalem district court. The court’s security system has been extended to the Prime Minister’s hearing.
He was referring to a document his lawyers gave to court last month, in which they claimed he was not guilty of bribery, breach of trust and fraud charges.
Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and for allegedly soliciting regulatory favors from media moguls in return for favorable coverage.
He last appeared in court in May, at the start of a later postponed trial due to quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic. Netanyahu called his accusation a witch-hunt a policy.