Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., September 08, 2008 Elul 8, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:20 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Police to hold key meeting Sunday on Olmert indictment By Jonathan Lis Tags: corruption, israel police  The Israel Police's Investigations and Intelligence Division is expected to formulate its recommendation Sunday regarding an indictment against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The head of the division, Maj. Gen. Yohanan Danino, and senior officers are to examine the evidence collected on the Morris Talansky, the double-booking (Rishon Tours) and the Investment Center affairs. If no further investigation is deemed necessary, the material will be given to the State Prosecutor's Office along with recommendations whether the evidence in any or all of the cases constitutes a basis for indictment. The State Prosecutor is expected to make its decision about two weeks after receiving the material and holding a hearing for Olmert. Advertisement Olmert's media advisor, Amir Dan, said Saturday: "The police have no choice but to recommend an indictment, since they have to justify the fact that they brought down a prime minister in office." Following a meeting last Thursday at the Lod headquarters of the police crime-fighting umbrella unit, Lahav 433, a recommendation to indict in the double-billing affair seemed to be in the offing. Also known as the Rishon Tours affair, police suspect that during Olmert's stint as minister of industry, trade and labor (2003-2006), as well as when he served as mayor of Jerusalem (1993-2003), Olmert financed at least 12 of his own and his family's private flights, booked via the Rishon Tours travel agency, through money obtained fraudulently from public bodies. With regard to the Talansky affair, in which Olmert is being investigated for allegedly accepting illicit funds over many years from Long Island businessman Morris Talansky, a source said that, "Its various links do not completely correlate." The source was referring to the fact that investigators were not always able to connect Talansky's testimony with the exact bank withdrawals, and Talansky and those present during the alleged hand-overs of cash "describe the events differently." The source said the Investment Center investigation, which involves allegations that Olmert granted personal favors to his former law partner, Uri Messer, when he was industry, trade and employment minister, was also considered "complex" in terms of the evidence." Nevertheless, a senior police official said recently that there was a good chance that both the Talansky and the Investment Center investigations would result in a recommendation to indict. After today's meeting, scheduled to convene at National Police Headquarters at 9 A.M., Danino will present the conclusions to Police Commissioner David Cohen.Police sources said that if it is decided today that further investigation is needed, the recommendations will be delayed by a few days for this purpose. Recommendations may also be made in some of the affairs and delayed in others. Police and the State Prosecutor reportedly prefer to formulate the indictments together because attorney Uri Messer is allegedly involved in all of them. In addition, police are to decide today on the indictment of others involved in the various affairs, including Shula Zaken - Olmert's former bureau chief - Messer and Talansky. Sources close to the case say Zaken is likely to be indicted. However, since Messer and Talansky are also central witnesses, the State Prosecutor's Office is said to be wary of losing their cooperation by indicting them. Related articles: Kadima sources: Olmert undermining successor to stay in power for longer Police likely to recommend indictments against Olmert Mazuz: Israel's government may soon be declared 'transitional' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Interfaith grandchildren A new group is helping U.S. seniors teach their interfaith grandkids Jewish traditions. Iranian war games Iran army to hold three-day drill amid speculation over Israeli strike.   1.   Not a run-of-the-mill villain... 09:49  |  Esther 07/09/08   2.   Olmert will probably get away with IT..... 12:25  |  Dagma 07/09/08   3.   To Esther # 1 - These foolish men ... 13:18  |  Dolly 07/09/08   4.   A Real Disgrace 21:17  |  Tod Zuckerman 07/09/08

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