Israeli PM to be indicted for corruption

Israeli attorney general Avichai Mandelblit on Thursday (local time) announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be put on trial for bribery and breach of trust in a series of corruption cases, reports CBS.

"The attorney general has reached his decision after thoroughly examining the evidence," his statement read. According to the website, the attorney general took this decision after two years of "intense investigation and deliberations".

However, the final decision on indictment will only take place after a hearing, where Netanyahu will be given an opportunity to defend himself.

It will be the first time any sitting prime minister has been charged with a crime.

Even though the process to reach indictment is long, the allegation has come as a serious blow to the Netanyahu election campaign.

Denying the allegation, Netanyahu has claimed that the accusations against him are a media-orchestrated witch hunt. Netanyahu scheduled a press conference later Thursday to respond to the attorney general's decision.

US president Trump, who shares a good rapport with Isreali Prime minister, has defended him. He said during the Hanoi Summit, "I can say this: that he's done a great job as prime minister. He's tough, he's smart, he's strong."

Netanyahu is being questioned in two corruptions cases in which police have already recommended indictments. One involves allegedly taking gifts from billionaires, and the second involves trading positive media coverage for legislation to weaken a free daily newspaper.