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American businessman Morris Talansky. (Daniel Bar / Jini) Last update - 08:10 21/05/2008 Police to question Olmert in Talansky bribe case Friday By Jonathan Lis, Tomer Zarchin and Ofra Edelman Tags: Ehud Olmert, Israel  Police will question Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at 10 A.M. Friday in his residence in Jerusalem in connection with their investigation into suspicions that he took bribes during his tenure as Jerusalem mayor and minister of industry and trade. Olmert and his former bureau chief, Shula Zaken, on Wednesday will ask the Jerusalem District Court to delay its planned deposition of American fundraiser Morris (Moshe) Talansky, in order to give the defense attorneys time to go through the investigative material. The High Court of Justice on Tuesday rejected their petition against the deposition, ruling that the district court's decision to hear prior testimony from Talansky was sound. Friday's planned interrogation was scheduled yesterday, following talks between Olmert's attorneys and detectives from the Fraud Squad. Police investigators began trying to arrange the interrogation last Thursday, but Olmert's defense team finally agreed only yesterday. This will be Olmert's second interrogation since the affair broke two weeks ago. Advertisement Police are eager to have Olmert's version of events in order to be able to present it as definitive when Talansky offers his testimony in open court on Sunday. Otherwise, police sources had expressed concern that Olmert and his defense team would try to improve his version of events after hearing Talansky's testimony. Most of the investigative material was received by Olmert's lawyers yesterday, after they had delayed the transfer for days. However, some of the material will remain classified until after police have questioned the prime minister about it. Talansky was questioned by the Fraud Squad on Tuesday for several hours, and he is expected to be questioned again, probably Wednesday. The court order barring him from leaving the country expires today, but the State Prosecutor's Office plans to ask that it be extended until the American businessman testifies in court. Gag order to be lifted today Also on Wednesday, a gag order on documents written by Shula Zaken - which allegedly record the flow of cash between Talansky and Olmert, and which were confiscated in a search carried out at the Ministry of Industry and Trade - will expire. Law enforcement sources said the initial investigation into the Olmert-Talansky affair has managed to collect evidence that supports suspicions that Olmert received bribes. "There are signs of bribery, suspicions that are being substantiated," said one. "But it is still too soon to determine whether it will be possible to bring charges on this matter." "So far, police investigators have failed to find any legitimate reason for the transfer of cash, over a number of years, from Talansky to Olmert," the source added. Police have investigated the period when Olmert was mayor of Jerusalem mayor, as the cash transfers were allegedly meant to serve his mayoral election campaigns. But the investigation is currently focused on the period when Olmert served as minister of industry and trade. The police consider the latter period crucial, because they feel it can be shown that the funds he received then were not used in an election campaign, and may have been used to cover debts, contrary to Olmert's statements in the media last week. Meanwhile, lawyers for Olmert and Zaken are trying to delay Talansky's deposition, scheduled for Sunday. Eli Zohar, representing Olmert, asked Jerusalem District Attorney Eli Abarbanel yesterday to delay Talansky's testimony, but Abarbanel refused. In his response to the High Court petition filed by Olmert and Zaken against the deposition, Talansky made it clear that he would not agree to stay in Israel after May 26. However, he added, he planned to return to Israel for his granddaughter's wedding on June 11. Related articles: Talansky's funds paid debts from PM's mayoral campaigns Prosecutor: Talansky personally handed Olmert envelopes of cash Supreme Court denies Olmert bid to block testimony against him Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   olmert should be left in peace 07:17  |  paulo2005 21/05/08   2.   Bottom Line Is Olmert Received Illicit Funds,& Must Resign NOW 07:52  |  Shepherd 21/05/08   3.   "The Laundry Man" 13:28  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 21/05/08   4.   #1 Paulo2005: Yes to compassion, No to staying on office 19:35  |  Gary S. 21/05/08   5.   olmert should be made to resign 03:15  |  peter ulmann 22/05/08

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