File - In this Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, chairs the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem. Israel's Justice Ministry says the attorney general will deliver his long-awaited decision on whether to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a series of corruption cases.(AP Photo/Oded Balilty, pool, File)
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli court has ordered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appear for the opening of his criminal trial in Jerusalem on Sunday. Netanyahu’s attorneys had asked the court for an exemption from appearing for the opening of proceedings. The court rejected the request Wednesday, saying that the accused appearing for the reading of the indictment is the rule and there are no grounds for granting Netanyahu an exemption in this case. Netanyahu was indicted on charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes earlier this year.