Israel's attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the corruption case against the Israeli leader, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The Israeli Justice Ministry announced this in a laconic statement late last night, saying that the investigation will focus on findings about Sara Netanyahu from recent material by the investigative program “Uvda“.
The program revealed numerous messages on "WhatsApp" (WhatsApp) messages in which Mrs. Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organize protests against political opponents and intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in her husband's trial.
The message did not mention Mrs. Netanyahu by name, and the Justice Ministry declined further comment.
In a video posted earlier last night, however, Netanyahu listed his wife's many good and charitable deeds and denounced the "Uvda" material as "a lie." as “lies“.
It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahu family, the most serious of which is the ongoing corruption trial, the AP notes.
Netanyahu is accused of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases in which he allegedly exchanged favors with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. The prime minister denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt“ by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.