The first trial of an Israeli judge to be charged with corruption in office opened here today before the Jerusalem District Court. Judge Eliezer Malchi is on trial on an indictment that he allegedly accepted 4,000 pounds ($1,333) to deal leniently with a defendant in a criminal case.
A heavy police guard was posted around the courthouse to handle a huge crowd which jammed the building. The session today was part of a preliminary hearing at which defense attorneys may raise technical objections to the indictment document.
Judge Malchi, who has not been formally arraigned, nervously riffled through law books while the charge sheet was read to the court by President Henry Baker. Attorney General Moshe Ben Zeev and Jerusalem District Attorney Ezra Hedaya are appearing for the prosecution.
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