By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is suspected of having received cash envelopes from a U.S. financier, the prosecution said Monday.
Investigators suspect that Olmert received, in person ort hrough his former office manager Shula Zaken, envelopes full of cash from New York financier Morris Talansky during their brief meetings both in Israel and the United States when Olmert served as Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor, State Prosecutor MosheLador told the Supreme Court.
Lador made the most detailed account so far of the fifth investigation against Olmert at a Supreme Court hearing to deliberate a petition from Olmert to overturn Jerusalem District Court’s decision on arranging a pre-trial deposition of Talansky. Olmert’s lawyers argued that such an early testimony would violate Olmert’s right to a fair trial as it effectively means indicting him before any formal charges are raised, while the prosecution insisted that the arrangement is necessary due to concerns that Talansky, both as a witness and a suspect, would notreturn to Israel in the future.
The Supreme Court is yet to rule on the petition. If Olmert’s appeal is rejected, the deposition will be held on May 25.The probes-laden Israeli leader acknowledged that Talansky had raised funds for him before he became the prime minister but denied any wrongdoing in the case. He said he would resign if indicted.
Israeli police is seeking to question Olmert for a second time since the latest case emerged earlier this month, while Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said it is unrealistic to expect a legal decision soon.