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Uri Messer (Ido Zimmerman) Last update - 23:11 22/05/2008 Olmert's associate, Uri Messer, questioned in corruption probe By Ofra Edelman, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service Tags: Ehud Olmert, Uri Messer  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's close associate, attorney Uri Messer, was questioned Thursday at the National Fraud Investigative Unit office in connection to a corruption probe being carried out against the premier. The State Prosecutor's Office is considering offering Messer to turn state's witness against Olmert rather than prosecute him as a co-defendant, should the current suspicions of corruption yield an indictment, according to a court statement last week by Jerusalem's district prosecutor. Transcripts from a May 6 hearing quoted Jerusalem District Prosecutor Eli Abarbanel as saying, "We see a possible scenario in which attorney Uri Messer will be a witness for the prosecution and not be accused." Advertisement This was in response to a question about why Messer, Olmert's former business partner and close friend, was not asked to be a respondent. Meanwhile, Olmert will be questioned for a second time on Friday at 10 A.M. at his Jerusalem residence. Sources close to the probe have said that despite significant disclosures in the investigation of Olmert's alleged acceptance of large sums from American businessman Morris Talansky, there still may not be enough evidence to indict him for bribery. On Wednesday, the Jerusalem court extended the stay of exit imposed on Talansky, with his consent, until May 26 at 11 P.M. Olmert and his former office chief Shula Zaken had asked to postpone Talansky's court deposition by two weeks, to June 8, to enable them to review the investigation material. They argued that they had not received a large part of the material yet, including Messer's statements to the police, which Olmert and Zaken are to receive only after Olmert is questioned by investigators again on Friday. Talansky had earlier objected to extending his stay of exit from Israel. He asked the court to enable him to leave Israel and return to testify in June, if Olmert and Zaken's request to postpone his deposition is accepted. Related articles: Gag order lifted on contents of Shula Zaken's date book Ari Shavit / A failure of the elites Sources: Proof lacking to indict PM for bribery Court extends order keeping Talansky in Israel 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.   Shula Zakan "twisting slowly, slowly in the wind" 21:34  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 22/05/08

Read & React Olmert to Haaretz: Syria contacts are 'historic breakthrough' Responses: 69 Editorial: Spin or no spin, Olmert must continue Syria talks Responses: 48 Poll: More Israelis against returning Golan than dividing Jerusalem Responses: 120 Shmuel Rosner: Will Bush attack Iran or won't he? Responses: 48 Suicide bomber blows up truck at Gaza crossing Responses: 116 Rosner's Domain Why Obama needs Florida Jews? (WTR) 8 short comments on the Israel-Syria peace talks Rosner's Guests: Peace with Syria now? not very likely 5 questions: Does Israel need rescue? Goldberg vs. Boot. I'm going to stay neutral! More Headlines 22:36 Hamas: No truce unless Israel lifts siege of Gaza 21:59 Netanyahu: Golan pullout would put Iran on Israel's doorstep 20:54 Sources: Israel never pledged full withdrawal from Golan 22:49 Western powers back Lebanon capitulation to Hezbollah 19:14 Olmert: Israel,Syria both know what they need to do for peace 22:57 Argentine prosecutor: Arrest Menem for obstructing Jewish center bomb probe 17:38 Israel asks U.S. for 25 F-35 warplanes, at $80 million a unit 23:11 Olmert's associate, Uri Messer, questioned in corruption probe 21:31 Gaza crossings under attack: gunfire at Karni, suicide bomb bid thwarted at Erez 19:25 Environment Ministry: Lag Ba'omer bonfires bad for global warming 16:17 Palestinians and Israelis come together to lose weight, make peace 20:18 Fashion wars / U.S. store pulls 'pro-violence' Palestinian T-shirt 14:39 Israeli elephant expert dies in Ethiopia blast 19:47 Border Police troops kills Egyptian who infiltrated Israel Previous Editions Select Day 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may

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