Mandelblit could not recall explicit approval for bribery investigation

Testifying Tuesday, former attorney general Avichai Mandelblit said he remembered authorizing Netanyahu's questioning under caution but could not recall expressly approving a bribery investigation. Defense lawyer Amit Hadad alleged a discrepancy with the documents.

Channel 14 and N12 reported that the dispute concerned the scope of investigation approvals and the wording of the caution in Case 4000. Mandelblit distinguished his recollection of approving questioning under caution from difficulty recalling the wording and specific offenses covered.

Hadad said the terms relied upon by the witness did not appear in the unredacted parts of the documents. Prosecutors disputed the defense's interpretation and distinguished authorization to open an investigation from the wording of the caution. The reports reviewed contained no judicial finding that Mandelblit committed perjury.