By KUNA,
Gaza : Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is to be questioned by Police Friday over suspicions of involvement in bribery and financial corruption.
Radio Israel Thursday said police so far thinks it is probable the premier received money in violation of law from US Jewish businessman Morris Talansky, and that there is mounting evidence in this regard.
Olmert would be questioned 10 a.m. at his residence in Jerusalem.
Olmert had been questioned earlier, May 2, after which he said he would resign should an official accusation be made against him. He still, however, admitted receiving money from Talansky to finance his election campaigns to become Jerusalem mayor in 1993 and 1998, as well as to vie for Likud Party presidency in 1999.
Judicial sources said that though the evidence obtained so far does not lead to lawsuit for bribe, the premier could face a charge of financial misconduct and money laundering.
An Israeli court yesterday banned Talansky from leaving Israel till Monday after he testifies in the Olmert case.
The High Court of Justice had rejected Tuesday Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s appeal against the State Prosecutor’s request for a pre-trial deposition by Morris Talansky, the key witness in the corruption probe against the PM.
The three-judge panel ruled that a previous ruling by the Jerusalem District Court, which permitted Talansky’s early deposition, was proper, despite claims by Olmert’s attorneys that such testimony would undermine the prime minister’s chance to get a fair trial.