'Bewildering.' Orlev
Photo: Niv Calderon
MK Yacimovich
Photo: Niv Calderon
MK Orlev: Police recommendation concerning Olmert bewildering
Knesset members slam recommendation to close case against PM in Bank Leumi affair. 'Decision whitewashed disagreements among investigators and ignored the unequivocal evidence and testimonies in the case,' Shelly Yacimovich says
Knesset members from both ends of the political spectrum criticized Thursday the police's recommendation to close the case against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the Bank Leumi affair due to lack of evidence.
Recommendation
National Fraud Unit recommends closing case against Prime Minister Olmert in selling of Bank Leumi due to lack of evidence indicating breach of trust
Zevulun Orlev, chairman of the State Control Committee, said the force failed in its duty when it decided to "roll out the red carpet for the prime minister upon his return from Annapolis".
According to Orlev, the police lack the authority to submit recommendations at the conclusion of any investigation.
"The over-enthusiasm exhibited by the police is more than bewildering," the head of the National Union-NRP Party said, while urging the State Prosecutor's Office to prove its independence and ignore the recommendations.
MK Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) said, "The police's decision whitewashed the disagreements among the investigators and ignored the unequivocal evidence and testimonies in the case.
"The political corruption poses a risk to the country's existence," she added.
Other MKs, particularly from Olmert's Kadima party, sided with the prime minister. "As was the case in other affairs involving past prime ministers, they made a mountain out of a molehill," Yoel Hasson said, adding that he hoped the State Prosecutor's Office would reach a quick decision on the matter and work toward concluding the other investigations against the prime minister.
Otniel Schneller, also of Kadima said the police's decision would "allow the prime minister to continue running the country.
"The Israeli people should be glad that Olmert will probably not be put on trial," he said.
