Ariel Sharon's son pleads guilty to illegal fundraising charges

The son of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Omri Sharon, has pleaded guilty to charges against him of illegal fundraising charges. Sharon was also convicted of fraud, breach of trust and perjury, of keeping false corporate records, and providing false testimony.

He will address the Tel Aviv Magistrates court on Tuesday during his sentence hearing. Sharon's sentence has yet to be agreed upon, with some insisting that he be imprisoned.

The development is sure to put an end to his political career regardless of his punishment. Sharon is a Likud Party lawmaker and adviser to his father. Charges against him go back to his father's fundraising campaign in 1999.

The decision to charge him was announced at the end of July of this year by Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, according to media sources. Israel's Justice Ministry was forced to wait for 30 days before convicting Sharon, so that he might request Knesset immunity.

The 30-day period ended Tuesday, and as expected, he did not request immunity.

© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)