Police recommend criminal charges against Olmert
Israeli police said on Sunday Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should face criminal charges, issuing a non-binding recommendation in a corruption scandal driving him from office in the midst of peace talks with the Palestinians.”Police today recommended to indict Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in two separate cases,” said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
The police said they have evidence showing that Olmert illegally received money from a U.S. businessman and made duplicate claims for travel expenses while he previously served as mayor of Jerusalem and trade and industry minister.
Olmert’s lawyers called the police recommendation “meaningless” because only the attorney-general can decide whether or not to indict a prime minister.
“We will wait patiently for the attorney-general’s decision, and as opposed to the police, we have no doubt in our hearts he is well aware of the responsibility he carries,” the lawyers said in a statement.
With Olmert committed to resigning after his Kadima party holds a leadership vote on Sept. 17, the recommendation will have no immediate impact on his tenure and does not guarantee an indictment will be filed by Israel’s attorney-general.
He has denied any wrongdoing in a series of investigations.
Under Israeli law, police submit their recommendation to the prosecution which then files its own legal opinion to Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz, who is the only one authorised to indict a prime minister.
A prosecution source said it would take at least several weeks for Mazuz to decide.