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Olmert in court
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Olmert demands inquiry into State conduct during trial

Former prime minister's attorneys demand attorney general investigate senior prosecution officials who allegedly provided their witness with document containing questions, answers before she took stand in Rishon Tours affair trial

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's attorneys sent a harsh letter of complaint Wednesday to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein demanding that he open an investigation against senior officials at the State Prosecutor's Office and the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office.

 

The lawyers accused the prosecution in Olmert's trial for his part in the Rishon Tours affair of witness tampering, abuse of authority and obstruction of justice and claimed they harassed and unfairly influenced a witness.

 

They are requesting the attorney general to investigate allegations of fraud and breach of trust on the part of senior figures in the prosecution.

 

The letter of complaint emphasizes the urgency of the matter, explaining that the State's misconduct was uncovered as the trial is going on. The conduct allegedly consists of instructing prosecution witnesses to deliver rehearsed and edited testimonies while concealing the efforts from the court and the defense.

 

The complaint is based on a 32-page document allegedly provided by the prosecution to its key witness Hadar Saltzman days before her testimony in court, which included questions she would be asked and answers she must provide.

 

The attorneys further claim that the document, which was revealed in court on Tuesday, casts a shadow on the trial, which currently is in the midst of Zaltzman's cross-examination.

 

The letter noted that the witness confessed in court on Tuesday of meeting with prosecution representatives four times, each meeting lasting five to six hours, and receiving a document containing questions.

 

'Red line crossed'

"The prosecution crossed a red line and there is no other choice but to launch an investigation into the matter," the letter read.

 

A source at the Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office responded to the claims and said, "The defense and its team of publicists ever so often try to lead dramatic and futile moves in and out of court while at times providing incorrect facts."

 

The State Prosecutor's Office stated that the letter of complaint distorted the facts and noted that the prosecution voluntarily introduced the document in the court and that the defense was the opposing party.

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.23.10, 13:42
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