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Netanyahu pleads not guilty in corruption trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement next to the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (unseen) after their meeting in the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem on February 8, 2021. (Photo by menahem kahana / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally pleaded not guilty to bribery, fraud and breach of trust in a high-profile corruption trial that comes weeks before Israel is scheduled to hold nationwide elections. 

“I confirm the response filed by my lawyers,” Netanyahu told the Jerusalem District Court on Monday, referring to the written not-guilty plea filed by his defense team. Some 20 minutes into the hearing, the prime minister thanked the bench and exited the courtroom. 

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