Last update - 00:00 04/02/2008
Police investigating car accident involving key attorney in Olmert probe
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
The police probe into the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry's Investment Center, during Ehud Olmert's term as minister there, has hit another snag. Attorney Uri Messer, a key figure in the affair, was lightly injured about 10 days ago in a traffic accident, which is now being investigated.
Messer was hospitalized following the accident, and associates have told police that he will be unable to report for questioning "in the near future."
Police sources said Sunday that for several weeks prior to the accident Messer had rebuffed attempts to summon him for questioning, claiming failing health. Friends told Haaretz that the lawyer and former business partner to Olmert has been under a lot of stress recently.
The Jerusalem police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the accident in which Messer was injured. He was hit by a Volkswagen Golf on January 23, near his office in the capital. Due to his medical condition and hospitalization, the police have not been able to record his version of the incident and thus have not determined the cause of the accident. The police Sunday did confirm that Messer sustained minor injuries.
"The entire accident is under investigation," a statement from district headquarters said. A statement could not be obtained Sunday from Messer's family.
Messer is one of the main suspects in the "Investment Center affair," in which the prime minister is being investigated for possible fraud, breach of trust and cronyism. Messer was questioned under caution, but the police have refused to reveal details about the exact nature of the crimes he is suspected of perpetrating.
The Investment Center affair was uncovered by Haaretz Magazine.
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