Mazuz hints gag order on Olmert case may be lifted
Attorney general, state prosecutor, police investigation chief issue joint statement addressing public concerns over gag order prohibiting publication of details regarding ongoing probe against prime minister, say certain specifics may soon be cleared for release so long as these do not impede case
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and State Prosecutor Moshe Lador issued a joint statement on Sunday together with Maj. Gen.Yohanan Danino, head of police investigations and intelligence, regarding the gag order on the new investigation launched against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
The three stood by the order prohibiting the publication of details regarding the investigation but said they would examine the possibility of releasing certain details to the public so long as these would not compromise the proceedings.
"We are well aware of the public's interest and need to receive information regarding the ongoing investigation against the prime minister," said the statement.
"Indeed, a situation wherein a presiding prime minister is being investigated under advisement without any information being released to the public, not even a general outline of the nature of the suspicions against those being investigated, raises complexities on a public and judicial-constitutional level, this is very clear.
"However, it is important to clarify that alongside the public's right to know, there is also an imperative public interest to keep from impairing the investigation and getting to the truth of the matter."
The statement hints the gag order may soon be lifted, maybe even within the next few days.
Meanwhile, Olmert's former bureau chief, Shula Zaken, has been placed under house arrest until Friday.
Zaken is one of the key suspects in the new investigation and was brought in for questioning under advisement Sunday afternoon for the second time this week.
