Israel’s High Court of Justice has overturned a decision by the Knesset to strip member Rafael Pinhasi of his parliamentary immunity so he could face charges of misappropriating funds from the Shas party.
The court ruled Sunday that Knesset members had not been given enough time to study the charges against Pinhasi, who is the fervently Orthodox party’s treasurer.
Pinhasi’s lawyer has charged that the Knesset vote, which took place in March, was a product of anti-Shas sentiment and a media campaign against Pinhasi.
Another Knesset vote regarding Pinhasi’s immunity is expected within a week.
The charges against Pinhasi relate to activities during the 1988 parliamentary campaign and afterward.
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