Former prime minister Olmert
Photo: EPA
State attorney expected to close probe into Olmert's book
Examination into whether the former PM gave classified material to unauthorized individuals to be closed; State Attorney Nitzan to cite Olmert's cooperation in reasons for decision.
State Attorney Shai Nitzan is expected to close an examination into former prime minister Ehud Olmert over a book he wrote.
The book, which was written while Olmert was serving a prison sentence for corruption, deals with his time as prime minister. Some parts of the book deal with sensitive security matters.
Several months ago, while he was writing the book, Olmert was visited in prison by one of his lawyers, Hanina Brandes.
Former prime minister Olmert (Photo: Matan Turkia)
When Brandes left the prison, guards found a chapter from the book in his possession, which deals with a security incident under a strict gag order by the IDF Censor. Among other things, the chapter includes classified operational details that have not been approved for publication.
The state attorney ordered the police to examine the issue and determine whether Olmert was sending the chapter to unauthorized individuals outside of prison, despite being warned against doing so.
The police examination included an unusual raid of the Yedioth Books offices, with investigators searching the publisher's computers and confiscating manuscripts for books written by journalists and public officials. The raid was met with harsh public criticism.
While the state attorney is not expected to order a full criminal investigation against Olmert, who was released from prison in early July, he is expected to note Olmert's conduct endangered state security.
Nitzan will say Olmert's full cooperation with the Director of Security of the Defense Establishment in locating all of the classified materials was one of the factors taken into the decision to close the case.
Alongside that, the state attorney will soon announce a new procedure formulated by Deputy Attorney General Dina Zilber, which will provide clear rules for the publication of politicians' books that include classified information.
