State denies holding contacts with Zaken on Holyland case
Several hours before Olmert's ex-bureu chief's attorney presents her version of Holyland affair, State Prosecutor's Office stresses it isn't negotiating deal with her. Statement notes Zaken failed to show up for interrogation
The Justice Ministry Spokesman's Office issued a special statement Wednesday in which it denied that the State held contacts with Ehud Olmert's former bureau chief on the Holyland affair.
The statement came just hours before Shula Zaken's attorney was slated to present her side of the story.
The statement further noted that Zaken failed to show up for an interrogation after being summoned.
"We wish to clarify that there is no truth to reports suggesting that the police or the State Prosecutor's Office are holding or held contacts with Mrs. Shula Zaken," the statement read.
It was further stated that the only relevant fact was that Zaken had been summoned for an interrogation more than a week ago and has yet to show up.
Zaken's attorney, Micha Pitman, is scheduled to hold a press conference later on Wednesday in which he will present his client's version.
Pitman visited Zaken in the United States last week after she extended her stay there.
Despite the denials, a senior law enforcement official confirmed last week that senior officials offered Zaken a deal in which she would testify against former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and possibly turn state witness in the other affairs he was involved in.
A senior official told Ynet, "Obviously if Zaken agrees, it would tie up a lot of ends."
Meanwhile, Holyland project entrepreneurs Hillel Cherney and Avigdor Kelner, as well as former City of Jerusalem engineer Uri Sheetrit were released to 10 days house arrest on Wednesday morning.
