Israel’s attorney general says an upcoming election campaign will have no effect on when he decides whether to file corruption charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit’s investigation will loom over the election campaign.

But in a statement, the Justice Ministry said the probe will continue “as planned” and “will not depend on political events.”

Police have recommended that Netanyahu be indicted in a series of corruption probes, and aides to Mandelblit have also reportedly recommended indicting the prime minister.

The attorney general makes the final decision. Netanyahu is hoping that will come after he is re-elected, a development that could make it much harder to file charges.

(AP)