Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., November 17, 2008 Cheshvan 19, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:31 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File

State prosecutor rejects claims that police probe forced Olmert to resign as PM By Tomer Zarchin Tags: Moshe Lador, Ehud Olmert  State Prosecutor Moshe Lador yesterday rejected claims that the police and state prosecution had created a situation in which outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was forced to resign. "Saying the state prosecution and the police brought about Olmert's resignation is untrue," Lador said in a speech delivered at an event organized by the Netanya College in Neveh Ilan. "If it was deemed right to investigate Olmert, then how can you blame anyone for carrying out [the investigation]?" Olmert and his close ally, Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann, have accused law enforcement of being biased against the prime minister in their investigations against him. Advertisement "The police have turned this case into a personal campaign against Olmert," a source close to Olmert said a few weeks ago. "The media has been full of headlines against Olmert, leaked by the police and the prosecution." Lador responded by saying the state prosecution's conduct during the investigation with Olmert was fair and was approved by the courts. "If it was right to take preliminary testimony from [Long Island businessman] Morris Talansky, then no one can complain to the state prosecution about a decision that was approved by the Jerusalem District Court and the Supreme Court," Lador said yesterday. The state prosecutor also spoke about the role the media played during the court process and how information can be manipulated by groups with vested interests. "The media wields a tremendous amount of power for all of us," he said. "The battle turns into the battle over the way the real story was presented to the public. There's a battle between each side over presenting what really happened." Lador also said the state prosecution had been criticized for its handling of the case against former president Moshe Katsav, who is suspected on a number of counts of sexual misconduct, including rape, against former employees. When asked why Katsav was not arrested during his investigation, he responded by saying that the testimony against the former president was "borderline and problematic." He added that the decision over the indictment against Katsav was in the final stages of preparation. In June 2006, police launched an investigation against Katsav over the suspected sexual harassment of one of his former employees. The former president signed a plea bargain with the state prosecution but later reneged on his decision during a Supreme Court hearing. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Taped launch IDF releases video of Gaza gunners firing rockets at Israel. GA, Jerusalem UJC General Assembly opens, organizers expect 'success.'   1.   Olmert FORCED to resign? 08:24  |  Dagma 16/11/08   2.   Olmert should have employed Katsav`s lawyers... 08:25  |  Esther 16/11/08   3.   Any other Prime Minister would have RESIGNED 09:45  |  Onlooker 16/11/08   4.   He should have resigned before Lebanon 09:48  |  x-ray 16/11/08   5.   Olmert was a Failure from the Start..... 09:56  |  The Threadmill 16/11/08

Read & React U.S. study urges Obama to press Israel over nukes Responses: 173 Israeli lightly hurt as Qassam hits yard of Sderot home Responses: 120 Yossi Melman: Syria may soon face nuclear sanctions like Iran Responses: 62 Livni to Miliband: U.K. plan to label W. Bank goods is 'exaggerated' Responses: 58 ANALYSIS / Hamas is calling the shots as Israel's leaders bicker Responses: 67 More Headlines 23:06 GA special report / Olmert: World must confront Iran's malevolence 23:28 Livni to Miliband: U.K. plan to label West Bank goods is 'exaggerated' 23:44 Poll: Only 19% of Americans say Israeli-Palestinian peace should top Obama's priorities 00:27 Israeli lightly hurt as Qassam hits yard of Sderot home 23:11 GA special report / Olmert: Strong Israel is best deterrent protecting world Jewry 21:05 IDF releases video of Gaza gunners firing rockets at Israel 18:02 PA negotiator Erekat: Netanyahu is closing the door to peace 19:24 IDF officials: Settlers unlikely to quit Hebron home unless forced 15:48 ANALYSIS / Hamas is calling the shots as Israel's leaders bicker 20:36 GA special report / Ex-basketball star Tal Brody expected to run for Likud Knesset list 00:26 B-G Airport strike ends as Histadrut chief calls for renewed talks in labor dispute 15:16 Ahmadinejad aide under fire over Koran 'dance' 09:12 U.S. study urges Obama to press Israel over nuclear program 00:26 Ami Ayalon quits Labor, claiming party has lost its will to live 09:17 Feted author Amos Oz says new leftist party will replace Labor Previous Editions Select Day 16 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov

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