Israel's police recommended Sunday that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should be indicted in a string of corruption cases, according to an official document. The police statement said they want to indict the Israeli leader in affairs that include receiving tens of thousands of dollars from a Jewish American businessman and double-billing Jewish organizations for trips abroad.
According to to the Israeli law, such police recommendations have only limited effect. The decision about whether to indict Olmert rests with the attorney general, Meni Mazuz. The political effect of the police recommendation is also limited. A few weeks ago, Olmert declared he would resign this month because of the multiple corruption investigations.
The police recommendations cover affairs that occurred before Olmert became prime minister in 2006. The charges include receiving bribes, breach of public trust, money laundering and others, according to the police statement.
Olmert's lawyers issued a response just as the police statement was issued. It said the police recommendation is "of no value," because the attorney general makes the final decision, noting that a Supreme Court justice spoke out against the practice of police passing a recommendation along with the results of their investigations.
"We will wait patiently for the decision of the attorney general," the statement said. "Unlike the police, he is aware of the heavy responsibility he holds."
© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
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