Olmert questioned for 8 hours on Holyland affair

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was questioned for nearly eight hours on Tuesday on his involvement in the Holyland affair.

Olmert was interrogated in the offices of the National Fraud Investigation Unit in Lod. He was questioned under warning on suspicions of receiving bribes, fraud and breach of trust.

He was prohibited from contacting any other individuals involved in the investigation and has pledged to report to future interrogations, the first of which is slated to be held on Sunday.

Olmert arrived at the police station at 07:30 am, nearly seven weeks after revelations of what had been dubbed "one of the most serious affairs since the State's establishment." The interrogation ended at approximately 3:30 pm, during which Olmert denied ever recieving bribes.

Olmert's car arriving to National Fraud Unit offices Tuesday morning (Photo: Ofer Amram)

Police suspect that during his term as Jerusalem mayor, Olmert supported a plan to create the Holyland real estate project and advanced it through improper means.

Police suspect that he was indirectly provided with funds by the project's entrepreneurs in exchange for his efforts.

Authorities suspect that the money was transferred via Olmert's former bureau chief Shula Zaken and his confidant, attorney Uri Messer. It is further suspected that some of the funds were transferred to Olmert's brother Yossi, who is currently overseas.

The former prime minister's communications director Amir Dan said at the end of the interrogation that Olmert was not surprised with any question and did not hesitate in providding answers. 

Sources close to Olmert demanded that the identity of the state witness in the case be revealed, as the former PM said he had tried to extort him in the past.