Tel Aviv, Israel — Israel’s ex-prime minister Ehud
Olmert was sentenced to six years in jail on Tuesday 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
internationally with working towards a peace settlement with the Palestinians -
might return to political life.
- He had denied any 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 stone complex widely seen as one of the city’s worst eyesores.
- “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 six-year prison term sought by prosecutors and fined Olmert 1 million shekels ($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 “praise-worthy” 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 Sept. 1,
effectively giving his lawyers time to take the case to a higher court and
request that he remain free until it rules.
Source: The Agencies
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