ID :
12300
Sat, 07/12/2008 - 12:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/12300
The shortlink copeid
Police grill Olmert in graft case
Jerusalem, Jul 11 (PTI) Israeli police are questioning Prime Minister Ehud Olmert third time Friday in a graft case that have prompted widespread calls for him to resign.
Authorities are trying to establish whether Olmert, 62, dispensed favours in exchange for funds he allegedly received illegally from millionaire U.S. financier Morris Talansky 13 years back before he became premier in 2006.
The grilling was taking place at the premier's official residence in Jerusalem, where he was also interrogated twice in May.
Investigators are said to be armed with fresh evidences, including invoices from hotels where Olmert stayed in the United States and details of who footed the bills, the Ha'aretz reported.
Police sources have said the allegations are "extremely serious" and could have led to the arrest of any ordinary citizen.
"Anyone else would have been arrested had similar suspicions been raised against him. Unlike any other suspect, Olmert is getting privileged treatment. He is setting the date and duration of the questioning," a police source was quoted by Ha'aretz as saying.
The two hour session comes amid heightened wranglings between the police and Olmert's associates. The Prime Minister's associates accused the police of turning the case into a "personal campaign" against him, suggesting that Olmert would not be treated fairly during the interrogation.
His media adviser, Amir Dan said "it's time the police stopped their tendentious leaks. When the police leak, its called 'the publics right to know,' but when a suspect tries to defend himself he is accused of damaging the rule of law."Dan said "nothing the police say surprises me any more," commenting on the report that the police will be tougher with Olmert Friday and would not let him speak on the phone or scold them for leaks.
"The police's threats remind me of other days and regimes. Where has it been heard that police in a democratic country talk like that against an elected Prime Minister?," he said.
"The police have turned this case into a personal campaign against Olmert. We didn't start the leaks. The media has been full of headlines against Olmert in recent weeks, leaked by the police and prosecution," a source close to Olmert was quoted by the daily as saying.
The Prime Minister has denied any wrongdoing but has accepted receiving funds for supporting his election campaign in the past.
Many local analysts see the developments as marking the end of Prime Minister's more than 30 years of illustrious political career.
Olmert's own Kadima party seems to be distancing him with party primaries slated for September and in all likelihood he would not be participating in it amid efforts to work out a 'graceful exit' for him.
Authorities are trying to establish whether Olmert, 62, dispensed favours in exchange for funds he allegedly received illegally from millionaire U.S. financier Morris Talansky 13 years back before he became premier in 2006.
The grilling was taking place at the premier's official residence in Jerusalem, where he was also interrogated twice in May.
Investigators are said to be armed with fresh evidences, including invoices from hotels where Olmert stayed in the United States and details of who footed the bills, the Ha'aretz reported.
Police sources have said the allegations are "extremely serious" and could have led to the arrest of any ordinary citizen.
"Anyone else would have been arrested had similar suspicions been raised against him. Unlike any other suspect, Olmert is getting privileged treatment. He is setting the date and duration of the questioning," a police source was quoted by Ha'aretz as saying.
The two hour session comes amid heightened wranglings between the police and Olmert's associates. The Prime Minister's associates accused the police of turning the case into a "personal campaign" against him, suggesting that Olmert would not be treated fairly during the interrogation.
His media adviser, Amir Dan said "it's time the police stopped their tendentious leaks. When the police leak, its called 'the publics right to know,' but when a suspect tries to defend himself he is accused of damaging the rule of law."Dan said "nothing the police say surprises me any more," commenting on the report that the police will be tougher with Olmert Friday and would not let him speak on the phone or scold them for leaks.
"The police's threats remind me of other days and regimes. Where has it been heard that police in a democratic country talk like that against an elected Prime Minister?," he said.
"The police have turned this case into a personal campaign against Olmert. We didn't start the leaks. The media has been full of headlines against Olmert in recent weeks, leaked by the police and prosecution," a source close to Olmert was quoted by the daily as saying.
The Prime Minister has denied any wrongdoing but has accepted receiving funds for supporting his election campaign in the past.
Many local analysts see the developments as marking the end of Prime Minister's more than 30 years of illustrious political career.
Olmert's own Kadima party seems to be distancing him with party primaries slated for September and in all likelihood he would not be participating in it amid efforts to work out a 'graceful exit' for him.
