Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Monday that he will not put off re-election during next year’s elections if the attorney general decides to file criminal charges, reported The Associated Press.
Police have recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on corruption charges, but Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit must make the final decision.
If he decides to indict, Netanyahu is still entitled to defend himself at a hearing before formal charges are filed. Mandelblit has not said whether he will act before April elections.
Speaking in Brazil, Netanyahu said the law does not require him to step aside before any hearing.
He stated Mandelblit should not take any action before the election unless the hearing can also be completed by then.
Netanyahu added: "In a democracy, leaders are chosen through a vote, not through a partially completed legal process."
