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Morris Talansky. (Daniel Bar On) Last update - 21:00 19/05/2008 Prosecutor: Talansky personally handed Olmert envelopes of cash By Tomer Zarchin and Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Israel, Ehud Olmert  State Prosecutor Moshe Lador said Monday that American millionaire Moshe Talansky personally handed money to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on several occasions. "While Olmert served as a minister in the Israeli government, he allegedly received funds from Talansky, in Israel and abroad, sometimes through [Shula] Zaken," Lador said. Speaking at a High Court hearing over a petition submitted by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his former office manager, Shula Zaken, against the Jerusalem District Court's decision to hear preliminary testimony from Talansky, Lador also said that Talansky's testimony included details of specific amounts transferred to Olmert, and descriptions of visits to Israel in which he handed Olmert money in envelopes. Advertisement Olmert's lawyer, Navot Tel-Tzur, said in response that the prosecution failed to present new facts or evidence in the case that would justify calling an early testimony from Talansky. Speaking on Army Radio, Tel-Tzur asked "how can [the prosecution] solicit early testimony when the suspicion has not been founded?" Also speaking on Olmert's behalf, attorney Eli Zohar said that the decision to accept early testimony from Talansky is a blatant disruption of the balance between the right to fair trial and public interest. "The Prime Minister's trial opens on the day that Talansky is scheduled to testify in court. This creates a situation that would almost obligate the prosecution to indict the prime minister," Zohar said. The High Court held a hearing Monday on a petition submitted by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his former office manager, Shula Zaken, against the Jerusalem District Court's decision to hear preliminary testimony from American millionaire Morris Talansky. Police suspect that Olmert received illicit funds from Talansky, making him a key witness in the latest investigations surrounding the prime minister. Zaken is also a suspect in the case. The prosecution is demanding that Talansky testify now, before an indictment is filed on grounds that Talansky, a close friend of Olmert, may refuse to return to Israel. Talansky announced earlier this week that he refuses to stay in Israel after May 26. In an interview with Army Radio, Zaken's attorney said that if the court allows Talanksy's early testimony, they will ask for a delay in the proceedings so that they can read the prosecution's case. While the prosecution said Sunday that the suspicions against the American businessman are not serious enough to justify keeping him in the country against his will any longer, the fact that he remains a suspect arouses concern that he would not return to Israel to testify against Olmert if the premier is indicted, for fear that he might face charges himself. The State Prosecutors also noted that if Talansky's prior testimony indeed undercuts Olmert's right to a fair trial, as his attorneys argue, Olmert has the option of summoning Talansky back to the stand himself once the trial begins. If, as he claims in his petition, Olmert has no doubt that Talansky would agree to return, that option ought to suffice, the prosecution argued. On a more technical note, the prosecution argued that Olmert and Zaken do not actually have the right to appeal the lower court's decision to depose Talansky, because this was an interim decision. By law, interim decisions made by trial courts cannot be appealed directly; they can only serve as a basis for appealing the final verdict. Nevertheless, the brief continued, due to the public importance of the case, the prosecution is not asking that the petition be rejected on technical grounds. Instead, it will argue that the lower court's decision was correct, and should therefore be allowed to stand. Related articles: New evidence against Olmert might lead to even more charges What was in the envelopes Mazuz: Ruling on Olmert probe unlikely in next few weeks Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fear of extinction The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably. Taking advantage Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.   1.   This is so sickening 14:02  |  Dror 19/05/08   2.   End of the Line: Take it to theStreets 15:02  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 19/05/08   3.   to the streets 15:48  |  tony harris 19/05/08   4.   preliminary testimony is for talansky`s safety 15:52  |  david 19/05/08   5.   This country is sleep walking 15:57  |  Dror 19/05/08   6.   The rules of engagement... 16:02  |  Esther 19/05/08   7.   What about our national defense? The country? The rest of us?... 16:03  |  bat yam 19/05/08   8.   A role model for our younger generation. 16:05  |  Stephen. 19/05/08   9.   Wonder how the US Attorney General will react. 16:17  |  Stephen. 19/05/08   10.   Fair play... 16:34  |  Esther 19/05/08   11.   Olmert & legal rights. 16:52  |  curious 19/05/08   12.   What would be The PM`s Next Step to remain 17:08  |  Dolly 19/05/08   13.   Still Comes Down to One Thing Olmert Must Be forced Out NOW 17:09  |  Shepherd 19/05/08   14.   Yo, Where did the Porn Article GO? 17:18  |  Dror 19/05/08   15.   Nothing wrong? 17:21  |  Colin 19/05/08   16.   Olmert`s bungled Leb. 2006 guilt far worse than this corruption. 17:34  |  just my opinion 19/05/08   17.   Not forced out, he`ll resign due to "medical reasons" 17:36  |  foo the barb 19/05/08   18.   Curiouser and curiouser....... 17:57  |  Natasha 19/05/08   19.   #17: Sounds About Right, And I`ll Take It Any Way I Can Get It 18:07  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 19/05/08   20.   Sad and ugly 18:15  |  Keops 19/05/08   21.   This is so sad... 18:25  |  Tali 19/05/08   22.   To 17 & 19 Agreed and that`s about it! 18:47  |  Dagma 19/05/08   23.   IF THERE IS NO INDICTMENT, HOW CAN THERE BE A TRIAL??? 18:51  |  Jay A Friedman 19/05/08   24.   The Jerkization of Israel 19:01  |  Tod Zuckerman 19/05/08   25.   # 17 Foo the barb -= "Medical Reasons`.... 19:18  |  charlie 19/05/08   26.   How is it hes still in power? 19:25  |  Levi 19/05/08   27.   # 16 just my opinion - the Bungling of Leb. 2006 19:26  |  Mr.Knowall 19/05/08   28.   What`s his name ? 19:28  |  Dimitar 19/05/08   29.   Why Is He Still In Office? 19:29  |  Levi 19/05/08   30.   #24: It`s Not Just Israel -- Western Democracy *Is* In Trouble 20:26  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 19/05/08   31.   Prosecutor talks about the case he prosecutes? 21:04  |  17 19/05/08   32.   Reply to Ovadiah (#30) 21:24  |  Tod Zuckerman 19/05/08   33.   Let he who is without sin cast the first stone 21:29  |  Nach 19/05/08   34.   Tod Zuckerman and Ovadiah ben Avraham 21:31  |  Dror 19/05/08   35.   Israelis are disconnected idiots 22:01  |  Dror 19/05/08   36.   Samson, Delilah, and Olmet 22:53  |  Poppy Bison 19/05/08   37.   Dror, Olmert has no honour 23:03  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 19/05/08   38.   Live boys/dead girls/bundles of money....oh, that`s Washington D. 23:05  |  Zoe 19/05/08   39.   35 Dror. Fault lies with us "collectively." Who elected Olmert? 23:32  |  bat yam 19/05/08   40.   Talansky acts as his own bag man 23:42  |  hollingsworth 19/05/08   41.   It`s Not Much Of A Defense So Far 00:51  |  Jeff Northridge 20/05/08   42.   # 36, who elected Olmert? 01:12  |  Andrew 20/05/08   43.   Prosecutor: 01:17  |  Joshua 20/05/08   44.   OLMERT IS NOT ONLY CORRUPT IS AN INEPT DEFEATIST 04:59  |  ROGER TOPPER 20/05/08   45.   You cannot prosecute Conservatives 05:11  |  Mark Lincoln 20/05/08   46.   bat yam, we are responsible for keeping him 09:22  |  Dror 20/05/08   47.   Which is it? 21:08  |  hollingsworth 20/05/08

Read & React Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza could take effect later this week Responses: 73 Amos Harel: Iran's fingerprints all over Gaza strife Responses: 74 McCain blasts Obama for Iran threat comments Responses: 145 Jerusalem, Petah Tikva ban 'Sex in the City' film adverts Responses: 61 Rosner's Domain 5 questions: Does Israel need rescue? Hyping the threat from Iran (WTR) Poll: Meeting the president of Iran - good or bad? Guests: In regard to Hezbollah, Israeli deterrence works "Controlled Unclassified Information" and the AIPAC trial (WTR) More Headlines 21:37 Supreme Court denies Olmert bid to block testimony against him 21:38 Three Palestinians killed in IAF strikes on Gaza 21:33 Al Gore calls on Israel to lead the way in renewable energy 21:41 Comptroller: Olmert waited 18 months to make decision on Darfur refugees 20:36 Top U.S. military officer says Iran jeopardizing peace in Iraq 19:55 Israeli historians gather in Albania to study how country's Jews escaped Holocaust 21:02 Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri investigated for sexual assault 13:17 Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza could take effect later this week 16:11 Sexless city: 'Sex in the City' adverts banned in Jerusalem 18:04 Orthodox Jewish youths burn New Testaments in Or Yehuda 18:44 German firefighting team apologizes for Hitler quote Previous Editions Select Day 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may

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