Netanyahu, wife, son questioned in corruption case
JERUSALEM — Israeli police on Monday questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as his wife and son, in a corruption case involving the country’s telecom giant.
It was the second time Netanyahu has been questioned in the case, in which he is suspected of promoting regulation worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bezeq telecom company. In return, Bezeq’s popular news site, Walla, allegedly provided favorable coverage of Netanyahu and his family.
Netanyahu held the powerful communications portfolio at the time of the alleged deals. Two Netanyahu confidants have agreed to testify against the prime minister in exchange for immunity.
Israel’s Yediot Ahronot daily reported that police were to question Netanyahu over allegations made by longtime family spokesman Nir Hefetz. The Haaretz newspaper said he will deliver recordings of Netanyahu and his wife as part of his agreement with police.
Police were seen arriving at Netanyahu’s residence Monday morning. Channel 2 TV reported that Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, and son Yair were questioned at another location. It is the first time that Yair Netanyahu has been questioned.
Israeli police have already recommended indicting Netanyahu for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in two separate cases.
Netanyahu is suspected of accepting lavish gifts from billionaire friends, and promising to promote legislation to help a major Israeli newspaper against its free rival in exchange for favorable coverage.
Israel’s attorney general will decide whether to indict Netanyahu.
Netanyahu has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.