Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Prime Minister’s corruption trial.
The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu.
The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial.
Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges (Stoyan Nenov/Pool Photo via AP)
The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment.
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”.
It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus, highlighted by the PM’s ongoing corruption trial.
Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates.
He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.