Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan testified via video link on Sunday at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial in Jerusalem, Reuters reported.

The trial is being held in Jerusalem, but Milchan, at the request of the prosecution, testified in Brighton, a city on the south coast of the United Kingdom, not far from where the 78-year-old Milchan now lives.

Prosecutors say Netanyahu improperly received gifts worth nearly 700,000 shekels (about $200,000) from Milchan, as well as another Australian billionaire who the indictment says is a “supply line” for champagne and cigars.

The Israeli prime minister has denied the charges in this case and in two other cases pending in the same trial.

Netanyahu is accused of helping Milchan with his business and obtaining his US visa. The Prime Minister called gift-giving between friends normal behavior, and the court called it a “witch hunt.”

Friendship with “Bibi”

Milchan hinted that the relationship between them has a deeper, patriotic nature.

“I can’t tell you how much Bibi and I have secretly done for the country,” Milchan said, using Netanyahu’s pseudonym.

When the prime minister arrived at the Jerusalem court to watch from afar, Milchan greeted him on the screen with the words “Shalom, Bibi!”.

Criminal investigations against Netanyahu, now in his sixth term as prime minister, began in 2016 and have sparked years of political upheaval in Israel.

After inconclusive elections and 18 months in opposition, Netanyahu returned to power in December at the head of a hard-right government.

Netanyahu has denied any connection between his trial and judicial reforms being pursued by his coalition, which have sparked strong opposition.

He was charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust for allegedly providing favors to businessmen in exchange for positive media coverage.

Who is Arnon Milchan?

Producer Arnon Milchan, known for such blockbusters as Beauty, Los Angeles and Fight Club, confirmed long-standing rumors in 2013 that he worked as a spy for Israel, buying weapons on behalf of Israel and expanding its alleged nuclear program, France24 notes.

According to an unauthorized biography published in 2011, Milchan worked for the Office of Science Liaison, known as Lekem, which obtained information for secret defense programs.

His work, which included running shell companies for Israeli intelligence and procuring components to build and maintain the country’s nuclear arsenal, began in Israel and followed him to Hollywood.

“When I came to Hollywood, I devoted myself to the only thing I wanted to do – make movies. But in some cases everything got confused,” said the producer.