Justice minister: No chance of early parole for Omri Sharon

As it stands, former MK is to complete his 7-month jail term despite his father’s medical condition, his appeal for parole with Justice Ministry. His only hope is if Peres grants him pardon

Aviram Zino|Published: 05.18.08 , 12:56

Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann informed President Shimon Peres Sunday that he doesn’t see any possibility of shortening the jail term of former Knesset Member Omri Sharon, or trading the remainder of the term for community service work. However, the president has the right to pardon to Sharon despite Friedmann’s conclusion.

Omri Sharon was sentenced to seven months in prison after being convicted of falsifying corporate records and campaign financing offenses. He is serving his sentence at the Maasiyahu Prison, which is considered a minimum security prison, with other inmates who are sentenced for short-term imprisonment. He has gone on two leaves since he began serving his sentence, one of which was last Friday.

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Friedmann reached his conclusion after taking Sharon’s personal circumstances into consideration, saying that “the court has taken into account the considerations submitted in the appeals for parole when ruling on the matter, and no other information indicating any change has been submitted since.”

Friedmann added that it is too early following the verdict to have the case examined for parole. “Despite the sympathy and consideration for the circumstances surrounding the case, it is not a sufficient basis for advocating a parole," the Justice Minister wrote.

Last month, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz addressed the former Knesset member’s right for parole, stating that there is no legal action preventing cabinet ministers from appealing for one.

Two months ago, Deputy Foreign Minister, MK Majalli Whbee (Kadima) reportedly signed up some 30 Knesset members on an appeal addressed to President Shimon Peres, to grant pardon to Sharon. The main argument: The medical condition of Omri’s father, former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On has also submitted a request for Sharon’s parole earlier this year.