2 former ministers going to jail Tuesday

Shlomo Benizri, sentenced to four years in prison, spends recent weeks attending conferences, with family. Abraham Hirchson, sentenced to five years in prison, also spends his last days as a free man with relatives

Ynet reporters|Published: 09.01.09 , 01:05

War on corruption will land another landmark Tuesday morning with two former ministers entering jails to start serving their sentences.

Shlomo Benizri will arrive at the Maasiyahu Prison where he is to begin serving his four-year sentenced by the Supreme Court. Benizri was convicted of receiving bribes from contractor Moshe Sela and his sentence from the Jerusalem District Court was aggravated by the Supreme Court.

Former Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson, sentenced to five years and five months after being convicted of theft of roughly NIS 2 million (about half a million dollars) from the Histadrut Labor Federation and of obtaining by fraud, will start jail time at the Hermon Prison.

Benizri on Sunday (Photo: Ata Awisat)

Over the recent weeks, Benizri toured the country while the court rejected his request of entering prison after the High Holidays. He met with public figures and attended conferences in an effort to prove his innocence.

His last evening as a free man was spent with family members and close friends. Many public figures such as Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Knesset members also visited him at home in order to pay respects and wish him luck.

On Monday morning Benizri visited the residence of Shas spiritual mentor Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in Jerusalem for a prayer and received the rabbi's blessing. Benizri's family members are convinced of their father's innocence and said he has not made special preparation for going into prison.

Hirchson outside court (Photo: Yaron Brenner)

After entering the prison, Benizri will be transferred to the religious section, which holds 80 haredi and religious inmates who are allowed to study Torah during the days.

Former minister Abraham Hirchson spent the last days before beginning his sentence with his family. Sources close to the ex-minister told Ynet, "Contrary to another minister entering prison, even in recent days as a free man he conducted himself in a dignified manner and doesn't want to create a fuss around going into prison."

Benizri and Hirchson will undergo a similar process of admission in their first day and will get to see their families for the first time in two weeks time. Knesset members' visits will be held at their request. The inmates will be entitled to NIS 1,400 ($367.26 ) in canteen money and will be granted their first vacation after they have completed a quarter of their sentence, subject to their behavior.