Haim Geron, a witness in Netanyahu trial on corruption allegations died in Greece. Geron, a witness on “case 4000”, lost his life in a plane crash suspected of deliberate sabotage by unknown parties.
A suspicious death has hit the headlines of the investigative journalism during the past days. In a plane crash in Greece, a main witness in Netanyahu trial involved in Netanyahu corruption case lost his life.
Reports indicate that the Haim Geron died along with his wife in the crash. Geron has been a former deputy chief of the Israeli Communications Ministry and a main witness in Netanyahu trial process.
The incident occurred when the two were flying a single-engine Cessna 182 plane two days ago in the vicinity of Samos, a Greek island. The Israeli ministry of Foreign affairs confirmed the identity of both victims, hours after the incident.
The aircraft was passing the route from Haifa an unknown destination in Greece when it crashed in Samos. The Greek board of Air Accident Investigation (AAIASB) opened a probe into the incident. “Shortly before landing, communication with the control tower on Samos was lost and the Civil Aviation Authority informed the search and rescue center about the loss of communication,” the board said in a statement, hours after the suspicious crash.
The chief of AAIASB announce the start of a full-scale investigation a day after the crash. Kondylis stressed that the team of experts would fly to the region on Wednesday to “inspect the wreckage.”
Some witnesses at the crash scene say they have observed two explosions in the plane before its downfall. The wreckage of the plane, 108 feet under water, is hoped to reveal the truth behind the accident. Officials say the clarification of the causes of the incident may take at least two weeks.
A Witness in Netanyahu Trial on Case 4000
Haim Geron was a witness on case 4000 prosecution against former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Case 4000 relates the main allegations against Netanyahu, including bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial process opened on Monday again following long months of procrastination. Using his influence in the administrative system, Netanyahu delayed the trial process under various excuses like election and the pandemic.
On the same day of re-opening the case in the court, a significant witness in Netanyahu trial died in a suspicious air incident in Greece. No evidence has leaked on a potential Netanyahu involvement yet. Nevertheless, the concurrency of the incident and Netanyahu’s history in disrupting the court process raised the suspicions against him.
The plane crash victim has been a deputy chief of the Israeli Communications Ministry. Through his position, he has had information on Netanyahu’s role in attempting to impact press coverage on his functioning as prime minister. Netanyahu faces allegations over involving in negotiation and offering bribes to Bezeq telecommunications firm to ensure supportive coverage by Walla news site.
In return, Netanyahu introduces regulations and policies supporting Bezaq worth millions of dollars. Netanyahu has rejected all the accusations in the case 4000.
Geron made his testimony in the Netanyahu prosecution in May last year. In a following interview, he said it pertained to the Israel‘s “optical fiber infrastructure, communications sector, and telephone services.” He also asserted that “the court is the only one that can determine if something is criminal or not.”
The victim of Samos plane crash is one witness in Netanyahu trial among hundreds. His death may be a signal to other witnesses who will be summoned to the court in the coming weeks. Netanyahu, in any case, will have a hard way en route.
