State appeals Olmert acquittal
Prosecution appeals former PM's acquittal in Rishon Tours and Talansky affairs. Olmert's aide says appeal is another stage in 'mean-spirited personal persecution of Mr. Olmert'
The State also appealed Olmert's sentence in the Investment Center affair, in which the former prime minister was given one year's probation and a fine of NIS 75,300 (roughly 19,200).
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In addition, the State appealed the sentence of Shula Zaken, Olmert's former bureau chief, for two counts of fraudulently obtaining benefits and fraud and breach of trust in the Rishon Tours case.
The State asked the Supreme Court to reevaluate Zaken's sentence of nine months probation and a fine of NIS 40,000 (some $10,200).
'Does not fear the appeal.' Olmert (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
In July, the Jerusalem District Court cleared Olmert of charges of fraud, breach of trust and tax evasion, among other charges filed in the Talansky Affair and the Rishon Tours double billing scandal. He was, however, found guilty of breach of trust in the Investment Center case.
After the July ruling, Prosecutor Eli Abarbanel said "This affair is not over," adding that the State Prosecutor's Office would consider filing an appeal.
Olmert and his former bureau chief Shula Zaken (Photo: AFP)
The former prime minister's spokesperson, Amir Dan, said the appeal was yet another stage in the "mean-spirited personal persecution of Mr. Olmert."
"For four years, three district judges, headed by the president of the Jerusalem District Court, examined all of the evidence in the case, and exonerated Mr. Olmert… while harshly criticizing the prosecution's conduct in the matter," Dan said.
"Instead of taking the criticism to heart and studying the verdict in order to make sure that the incident doesn't repeat itself ever again… the state prosecutor is trying to save face."
Dan further accused the prosecution of "abusing its power to hurt a man."
As for Olmert's response, Dan added that "Olmert does not fear the appeal itself. The judges, who examined all the evidence, made clear and conclusive decisions. We are confident that the Supreme Court has no reason to overturn such clear-cut decisions and have faith that justice for Olmert will prevail in the higher instance as well."
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