Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at a Jerusalem courthouse on Sunday saying his head was “held high” as he began a long-delayed corruption trial.
Wearing a suit and blue and white tie and flanked by ministers, Mr Netanyahu addressed reporters before entering the court where he faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Again denying all allegations, he condemned the “ludicrous” charges against him.
“I’m here with a straight back and my head held high,” he said.
The rightwinger, the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, has long claimed to be the victim of a witchhunt and again suggested the charges were trumped up to stop him continuing in office.
“When you need to take me down, a strong prime minister from the right, everything is possible,” he said.
Mr Netanyahu added a request for the rest of his trial to be broadcast live, unlike the opening session at which the court banned TV cameras.
“I ask for everything to be broadcast live and uncensored so that the public will know,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement before entering the district court room where he is facing a trial for alleged corruption Source: ISRAELI POOL
The veteran Israeli Prime Minister, who has just forged a new unity government after more than a year of political turmoil, is the country's first premier to face criminal charges while in office.
The trial, officially called the State of Israel vs Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to last for months, if not years.
During Sunday's session Netanyahu spoke only to identify himself and confirm he had read and understood the charges, with his lawyers spending most of the hour that the court was in session to request more time to study the case's material.
Protesters opposed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu march while holding a banner during a protest outside the Prime Minister's Residence Source: EPA
'Ridiculous' attack
The judges set July 19 as the date for the next session, which will take place without Netanyahu, and deal with technical issues.
The prime minister will be asked to enter his plea during a later session.
Among the charges he faces is seeking to illegally trade favours in exchange for positive media coverage.
During Sunday's session Netanyahu spoke only to identify himself and confirm he had read and understood the charges, with his lawyers spending most of the hour that the court was in session to request more time to study the case's material.
Wearing a facemask to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, like the judges and lawyers, Netanyahu sat silently through much of the court session, occasionally exchanging whispers and nods with his legal team.
Supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protest outside the district court where he is facing a trial for alleged corruption crimes Source: EPA
Other defendants, including media moguls Shaul Elovitch and Arnon Mozes, both accused of seeking illegal deals with Netanyahu, were also in court.
Among the most serious allegations against Netanyahu is the claim that he offered media mogul Elovitch regulatory changes worth millions of dollars to his telecom giant Bezeq in exchange for favourable reporting on the Walla! news website.
