Olmert gets 6 years for bribe taking
Print Edition
ISRAEL’S ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years in jail yesterday for taking bribes in a real estate deal, a crime the judge said was akin to treason.
The first criminal conviction of a former Israeli head of government all but ended speculation that Olmert, a centrist credited with working toward a peace settlement with the Palestinians, might return to political life.
He had denied wrongdoing in the property deal, approved when he served as Jerusalem’s mayor, that led to the construction of the hilltop Holyland apartment towers, a hulking complex widely seen as an eyesore.
“A public servant who takes bribes is akin to a traitor,” said Judge David Rozen in the Tel Aviv District Court, as he handed down a 6-year prison term sought by prosecutors and fined Olmert 1 million shekels (US$289,500).
Rozen found Olmert guilty on March 31 of two bribery charges, saying the former prime minister had accepted 500,000 shekels from developers of the Holyland project and 60,000 shekels in a separate real estate deal.
Olmert, the judge said, devoted most of his time to “praiseworthy” public service — but “also lined his own pockets.”
“The accused served as the prime minister of Israel. From this high and honourable post, he reached the position of having been convicted of the most despicable and grave crimes,” Rozen said.
Rozen ordered Olmert, 68, to report to prison on September 1, effectively giving his lawyers time to take the case to a higher court and request that he remain free until it rules.
“He did not take a bribe. He did not receive a bribe. He sees himself as innocent, and it is with those feelings that he will be going to the Supreme Court to appeal,” Olmert’s lawyer Eli Zohar told reporters.
Two years ago, Olmert was acquitted of most of the major charges brought against him in separate cases.
Those corruption allegations forced Olmert’s resignation as prime minister in 2008, and his acquittal had appeared to position him for a possible political comeback.
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