Benjamin Netanyahu seeks pardon from Israel's president
Netanyahu said a pardon would lead to national reconciliation in Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a request for a pardon to the country's President Isaac Herzog.
The president's office said Herzog would receive opinions from justice officials before considering the "extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications".
Netanyahu has been standing trial for the past five years on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases. He denies any wrongdoing.
He said in a video message that he would have preferred to see the process to the end, but national interest "demanded otherwise".
Early this month, US President Donald Trump urged Herzog to "fully pardon" the prime minister.
At the time, Herzog made it clear that anyone seeking a pardon had to submit a formal request.
On Sunday, the president's office released the request and a letter by the prime minister himself, in light of "the importance of this extraordinary request and its implications".
It offered no indication of when the president might reach a decision.
FULL ARTICLE AT: Benjamin Netanyahu seeks pardon from the Israeli president
