Israeli media says police to investigate PM Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem January 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

JERUSALEM -- Israeli media reported on Monday that the police was expected to investigate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over corruption allegations.

A black screen was placed outside the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem, a move reportedly made ahead of the arrival of police investigators and to block the view of journalists seeking to photograph them.

Netanyahu's office rejected the claims as "baseless," insisting that the probe would not "come to anything because there isn't anything."

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri declined to comment, saying "we can neither deny nor confirm the reports of investigations."

According to media reports, the investigation would be conducted under caution.

Israel's Channel 2 TV news reported that Netanyahu is under criminal investigation over suspicion that he received "favors" from two businessmen. Media said the police are also investigating another graft affair under complete secrecy.

In July, Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit said he had ordered a preliminary probe into an unspecified case involving Netanyahu.