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Cherney. Going home
Photo: Ofer Amram
Kelner. Not allowed to leave country
Photo: Ofer Amram

Holyland entrepreneurs released to house arrest

After extended time in custody Hillel Cherney, Avigdor Kelner to spend 10 days at home under restrictions. Shula Zaken's attorney to issue statement later on Wednesday

The Rishon Letzion Magistrate's Court ordered Wednesday to release Hillel Cherney and Avigdor Kelner, who are suspected of involvement in the Holyland real state corruption scandal, to house arrest under restrictions for a period of 10 days. The two are prohibited from leaving the country.

 

Former Jerusalem Municipality engineer Uri Sheetrit was also released to house arrest under similar conditions.

 

The three suspects' passports were revoked for a period of 180 days.

 

The attorney representing Shula Zaken, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's ex-bureau chief, is slated to issue a statement on the case later in the day.

 

Law enforcement agencies are gearing up to resume investigations as part of the Holyland affair probe, which was suspended for Memorial Day and Independence Day. Additional suspects involved in the affair are expected to be arrested later this week.

 

Olmert is also scheduled to be interrogated for his involvement in the affair in the coming days. Investigators are slated to present him with information from a state witness suggesting he received bribes.

 

Zaken spent Independence Day overseas while her attorney, Micha Pitman, contiuned negotiating with the police and the State Prosecutor's Office regarding the possibility that she will turn state witness.

 

Pitman will comment on his client's alleged involvement in the Holyland project later on Wednesday and will address the possibility that Zaken would testify against Olmert.

 

The lawyer returned to Israel on Sunday after visiting the United States with Zaken. Ynet reported that the attorney presented Zaken with an offer to testify against Olmert and possibly turn state witness in the other affairs he is allegedly involved in.

 

A senior law enforcement official told Ynet, "Obviously, if Zaken agrees it will tie up a lot of loose ends."  

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.21.10, 11:07
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