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Last update - 01:43 03/10/2008
Olmert refuses to respond to questions on Rishon Tours affair
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Ehud Olmert, Israel News

Outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday was questioned for the eighth time at his official residence in Jerusalem, his first meeting with police investigators since stepping down earlier this month.

Police used the investigation on Thursday to question Olmert further on a number of corruption allegations.

The interrogation included questions regarding the Rishon Tours affair, despite investigators having announced last month that the case had been closed.
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The outgoing prime minister, who in that affair is accused of using state money to fund family vacations abroad, refused to answer investigators' questions on the matter.

He lashed out at police over their intention to draft an indictment against him in the affair, and said he would not respond to questions without first consulting his attorneys.

Olmert's public relations adviser, Amir Dan, accused the police of provoking scandal in their decision to reopen Rishon Tours.

"Why are police pressing for charges when they have not finished their complete investigation?" Dan said. "All that interests police is hurrying to draft indictment in order to stir up big headlines," he added.

The questioning on Thursday, believed to revolve around corruption allegations in reference to the Investment Center affair, was the first confrontation between the outgoing prime minister and police since Olmert lashed out at the police in an interview with Yedioth Aharonoth published Monday.

The questioning on Thursday began at 10 A.M. and lasted for approximately two hours.

The investigation was to focus on allegations that during his term as industry, trade and labor minister, between 2003 and 2006, Olmert granted major state funding to a company represented by his close associate, attorney Uri Messer.

The investigation of this matter is considered close to completion, but the head of the police Investigations and Intelligence Division, Yohanan Danino, decided to obtain additional testimony from Olmert before issuing a recommendation to the attorney general on whether or not to indict.

The investigators were also expected utilitze the session to question Olmert further about his purchase of the house on Cremieux Street in Jerusalem, which police suspect was sold to Olmert, then Jerusalem mayor, at a discounted price in exchange for increased building rights in another project on that street.

The police recently recommended to the State Prosecutor's Office that Olmert be indicted for allegedly taking bribes from Jewish American businessman Morris Talansky, and also for the Rishon Tours affair.

Attorney General Menahem Mazuz is the official who has the authority to decide whether to indict Olmert. A source in the State Prosecutor's Office said a decision is expected in the coming weeks, most likely after the Jewish holidays.

Meanwhile, the police announced they have enough evidence to indict Olmert's former bureau chief, Shula Zaken, and Messer, who was also Olmert's former law partner.

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      1.   Olmert, Hirshenzon and Katzav- what a team 20:04  |  Arthur 01/10/08
      2.   Olmert 22:26  |  Ralph 01/10/08
      3.   Why the wait? 00:02  |  Arie 02/10/08
      4.   Bring him to justice for all future politicians to see 00:05  |  Zedek Tirdof 02/10/08
      5.   The left wing again 05:15  |  howiej 02/10/08
      6.   Olmert is being questioned to find ways to save him. 10:03  |  Jim O`Brien 02/10/08
      7.   ? Veritas ? versus ? Politicom ?, who will succeed 14:37  |  H.H.M. 02/10/08
      8.   ? Veritas ? versus ? Politicom ?, who will succeed 15:32  |  H.H.M. 02/10/08
      9.   Olmert is using his IMMUNITY.... 15:45  |  Dagma 02/10/08
      10.   Olmert is using his IMMUNITY.... 16:00  |  Dagma 02/10/08
      11.   Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdoff -#4 16:03  |  Afflalo, Ya`ish 02/10/08
      12.   Arie 17:21  |  A.M. 02/10/08
      13.   Dagma 17:32  |  A.M. 02/10/08
      14.   Affalo 17:44  |  A.M. 02/10/08
      15.   Olmert the serial denier 18:30  |  Noel 02/10/08
      16.   Who`s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? 18:32  |  The Threadmill 02/10/08
      17.   And THAT proves he is Guilty....... 18:43  |  The Truthful One 02/10/08
      18.   The Usual Stories. PLZ. Mr.Olmret Speak up about what they need 19:02  |  Simo Mohammed 02/10/08
      19.   response 04:45  |  colin 03/10/08
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