Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a long-running corruption trial, has submitted an official request to the country’s president to pardon him.
In a video statement, Mr Netanyahu, who is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial, said ending the process would advance national reconciliation.
President Isaac Herzog’s office said in a statement it was aware “this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications”.
The president will “responsibly and sincerely consider the request” after consulting with “relevant authorities” in the justice and legal departments, the office said.
Earlier this month, Donald Trump sent a letter to Mr Herzog urging him to “fully pardon” Mr Netanyahu.
The US president told Mr Herzog his prime minister had “stood tall for Israel in the face of strong adversaries” and Mr Netanyahu’s “attention cannot be unnecessarily diverted”.
Mr Netanyahu’s trial, which began in 2020, has not yet concluded. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include bribery and fraud.
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian delegation in US for Trump peace plan talks as deadly Russian strikes hit Kyiv for second night in a row
Death toll in Hong Kong apartment complex fire rises as more bodies found in burned buildings
Venezuela accuses Trump of ‘colonial threat,’ after US president ‘closes’ its airspace
He was indicted in 2019 in three cases, including allegations of receiving nearly 700,000 shekels (£166,500) in gifts from business representatives.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the latest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
