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Olmert to be questioned Friday
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Urgent interrogation: Police to question Olmert Friday

Dramatic developments in investigation against Olmert? Attorney General Mazuz issues special permit to question prime minister within 48 hours; Police to interrogate Olmert Friday, PM's Office confirms

Urgent interrogation: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be questioned Friday at his Jerusalem residence, after Attorney General Menachem Mazuz issued a special permit allowing police to interrogate him within 48 hours.

 

The Prime Minister's Office confirmed the initial Channel 2 report no the matter after a long silence, and noted that Olmert was summoned to an interrogation that is only an hour long.

 

"The prime minister intends to fully cooperate with law enforcement officials, as he has done in the past. He is convinced that as the truth will emerge in the framework of the police investigation, the suspicions against him will dissipate," the PM's Office said.

 

The affair that prompted the interrogation or the reason for the urgent questioning session have not been revealed. Police officials have declined to comment on the report.

 

At this time, Olmert is facing three different investigations related to the time he served as the minister of trade, labor, and commerce.

 

PM questioned twice in 2007

One investigation, over political appointments at the Israel Small and Medium Enterprises Authority, was launched after the state comptroller cited suspicions that criminal activity was involved in the appointments. The report slammed Olmert as well as the ministry's director general at the time, Raanan Dinur.

 

Another investigation against the prime minister is related to the sale of controlling interest in Bank Leumi. In this affair, Olmert is suspected of violating the law in order to assist two of his friends, who were competing in the tender for acquiring the bank.

 

Olmert is also facing an investigation over suspicions that he was given a large discount when he purchased one of his apartments in exchange for using his clout to speed up the housing venture.

 

The PM was questioned twice during October 2007 by fraud investigators. The second interrogation session, on October 10th, took place at his official residence and lasted four hours.

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.01.08, 20:38
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