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Fraud trial of Israel PM’s wife postponed: court
JERUSALEM, July 9, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The trial of Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara, charged with fraud and breach of trust, has
been postponed for three months, the court administration said Monday.
Sara Netanyahu’s trial, which was set to open at the Jerusalem magistrates
court on July 19, will instead start at the same court on October 7, it said.
The delay was approved by judge Avital Chen “at the request of the state
attorney’s office and the accused’s representative,” it said, without
providing further details.
Sara Netanyahu, 59, was last month charged with misusing state funds to buy
delivery meals costing $100,000 (85,000 euros) by falsely declaring there
were no cooks available at the premier’s official residence.
From 2010 to 2013 Netanyahu, her family and guests received “fraudulently
from the state hundreds of prepared meals (each including a number of
courses) to the value of 359,000 shekels,” the indictment read.
Netanyahu, a high-profile presence at her husband’s side throughout his
lengthy time in office, has denied any wrongdoing.
Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the charges as “absurd”.
Sarah Netanyahu’s legal woes come as the prime minister himself is under
the microscope over a series of alleged corruption offences.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1814 hrs