Former Israeli PM Convicted in Corruption Retrial

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert inside the District Court in Jerusalem 30 March 2015 while awaiting the verdict in the Talansky retrial. Photo: EPA

The former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was convicted on Monday by the Jerusalem District Court in a retrial, which reversed its earlier 2012 acquittal.

Olmert could face up to five more years in prison as he was found guilty of fraud under “aggravated circumstances” due to the high amount of funds and his high position, the Jerusalem Post reports.

The former prime minister had already been sentenced to six years imprisonment as he was found guilty of bribery in a separate case, which came to be known as the “Holyland affair”, in 2014.

The retrial was ordered after new evidences, including a recording, a journal and testimony by former aide of Olmert, emerged, which were not available at the original trial.

The former prime minister is accused of illegally receiving and concealing over USD 600 000 in envelopes from US businessman Morris Talansky from 1993 to 2002.

Olmert is appealing his conviction in the “Holyland affair” and his lawyers said that they would also appeal the latest verdict of the court.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!