Netanyahu in court as evidentiary stage of corruption trial begins Prime minister set to depart after opening statement from chief prosecutor in case, having received permission to be absent during testimony of first witness for prosecution seeking to prove charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust Haim Golditch, Gilad Morag, News Agencies | Updated: 04.05.21 , 09:45 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in Jerusalem District Court on Monday morning for the start of the evidentiary phase of his corruption trial, one year and four months after Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust against him. Netanyahu, who rejects the charges as part of a witch hunt to topple him, was greeted at the heavily guarded courthouse by supporters who gathered in a show of solidarity with the long-term leader.