![The Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks as he visits the the Choral Synagogue in Vilnius on 26 August, 2018 [Petras Malukas /AFP/Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/GettyImages-1023724922-1-e1549808669903.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Israel’s attorney-general intends to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in three corruption cases, Israeli TV said on Thursday, citing the Justice Ministry, reports Reuters.
The reported decision, ahead of Israel’s April 9 election, deepens uncertainty over Netanyahu’s prospects in a tight race.
The actual filing of the reported charges, which include bribery, fraud and breach of trust, will depend on the outcome of a required hearing. At that hearing – likely after the election – Netanyahu can try to persuade the attorney-general not to indict him.
READ: Ex-Israel police chief on Netanyahu investigations: ‘the evidence will speak’
Netanyahu, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term, denies any wrongdoing. In the long-running investigations, he is suspected of wrongfully accepting gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensing favours in alleged bids for favourable coverage by a newspaper and a website.
Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party described the reported charges as “political persecution”. It said the prime minister, who has vowed not to resign over the allegations, was due to deliver a statement at 8pm.
![Netanyahu's corruption scandal - Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/15-2-2018-2.jpg?resize=933%2C579&ssl=1)
Netanyahu’s corruption scandal – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]