Israel’s attorney general has said he intends to indict prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on corruption charges.

Mr Netanyahu is suspected of accepting gifts, including cigars and champagne, from wealthy businessmen and dispensing favours in return for favourable media coverage.

It is the first time a serving Israeli PM has been put on official notice of a planned prosecution.

He could face up to 10 years in jail if convicted of bribery and a maximum three-year term for fraud and breach of trust.

Police had recommended indicting the 69-year-old politician for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three different cases.

Attorney general Avichai Mandelblit announced his decision after more than two years of investigations.

The latest development comes just six weeks before a closely-fought election on 9 April, in which Mr Nethanyahu is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office.

The actual filing of charges will depend on the outcome of a hearing, which could take place after the contest.

At the hearing, the right-wing leader could try to persuade the attorney general not to indict him.

Mr Netanahu denies any wrongdoing and insists he has no intention of resigning.

He has called the allegations a media-orchestrated witchhunt aimed at removing him from office.

And his Likud party has described the looming indictment as “political persecution”.

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