Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the country's President, Isaac Herzog, for a pardon over corruption cases he has been battling.
The president's office said Herzog would receive opinions from justice officials before considering the 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 wrongdoing.
He said in a video message that he would have preferred to see the process to the end but national interest demanded otherwise.
The Israeli opposition says he should admit guilt before seeking a pardon.
Early this month, US President Donald Trump urged Herzog to fully pardon Netanyahu. At the time, Herzog made it clear that anyone seeking a pardon had to submit a formal request.
On Sunday, his office released the request and a letter by Netanyahu 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.
In 2020, Benjamin Netanyahu became the first serving Israeli prime minister to stand trial, facing accusations including receiving gifts from powerful businessmen in exchange for favours, and offering benefits in exchange for favorable news coverage.
In a recent video message, Netanyahu claimed the charges against him were collapsing but stressed that the ongoing trial was deeply dividing the nation. He argued that a pardon would foster national unity and address prevailing threats.
With growing public scrutiny, the idea of pardoning a leader accused of significant legal and ethical breaches remains controversial across political lines in Israel.
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