Benjamin Netanyahu's former adviser Nir Hefetz broke down during Monday's court hearing as he described the process of deciding to become a state witness in the investigation of Israel's former prime minister.
Hefetz, who served as spokesman for the ex-premier, took the stand again for a hearing at the District Court in Jerusalem one week into his testimony against his former boss, who did not make an appearance at Monday's proceedings.
The judges ordered a short recess when Hefetz began crying.
He described his being interrogated during 15 days of detention in early 2018 as reaching "monstrous proportions."
“I was under heavy pressure and the conditions were very difficult," Hefetz told the court.
“After 11 days of detention, I said to myself: How can I have reached the most difficult situation in my life, certainly from a legal perspective, and how can there be one option on the table that is not being talked about?” Hefetz said.
He said that at this point the possibility of turning state witness began to be discussed. It was at this moment of the testimony that Hefetz began to cry and the court was adjourned briefly.
As he took the stand again after the short break, Hefetz described the "difficult process" of going with the prosecution.
However, he said the process of becoming a state witness should not put into question the testimony put forward.
“My testimony is unequivocally the truth,” he said. “It’s part of the process in which I am taking responsibility for those places where I made mistakes. I am fully committed to helping the court as much as I can, humbly, to reach the truth. Even if I need to pay a price.”