JERUSALEM--An Israeli court said on Thursday that two police investigations in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been questioned could result in corruption charges, and that prosecutors were in talks with one of his former top aides.
The disclosures, made in a court order limiting media coverage of the cases, did not name Netanyahu. But they ramped up speculation among Israeli legal analysts that he could face indictment if ex-chief of staff Ari Harow turns state's witness. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing, and his spokesman said in a statement on Thursday that the premier was the target of "a witch-hunt, now at its peak, aimed at changing the government".
"This is destined to fail, for a simple reason: Nothing will happen because nothing happened," the spokesman said.
Netanyahu had been questioned under caution by police over so-called Case 1,000, dealing with gifts given to him and his family by businessmen, and Case 2,000, related to conversations he held with an Israeli publisher.
Harow did not return a call from Reuters seeking comment. His lawyer declined to respond to Israeli media reports this week that he was in talks about testifying against his former boss.
Thursday's order by Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court said the two cases involved "suspicion of the commission of the felonies of bribery, fraud and breach of trust."
The court order further barred publication of "any details from the negotiations under way with Ari Harrow and counsel and the substance of matters relayed during the negotiations."
Harow served as then-opposition leader Netanyahu's chief of staff in 2008, a post he held for two years. He returned in 2014 to serve as the premier's chief of staff, but resigned a year later amid corruption allegations that he denied at the time.
