A court in Jerusalem has postponed today's hearing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a corruption case, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
The trial, scheduled for today, was rescheduled for January 6 after it became clear that the prime minister would undergo prostate surgery.
Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, embezzlement and bribery. According to the indictment, he provided privileges to the telecommunications company “Bezek“ while he was communications minister and accepted luxurious gifts from his wealthy friends.
At his first hearing on December 10, the prime minister described the charges as “absurd“. This is the first time in Israeli history that a sitting prime minister has been indicted on corruption charges. The trial is expected to last years, with Netanyahu expected to testify three times a week for about two months.
Netanyahu has repeatedly used his official commitments as a reason for postponement. Most recently, he cited the need to inspect troops in the occupied Golan Heights.
The prime minister's condition has drawn attention after he underwent a series of medical procedures in recent years, including hernia surgery and the insertion of a pacemaker last summer. The prostate operation will be performed under general anesthesia, his office confirmed.