Israeli ex-PM gets one-year suspended sentence

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Jerusalem District Court handed down a one-year suspended prison sentence and a NIS 75,300 fine to former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday, Sept 24 afternoon, after convicting him of breach of public trust in the Investment Center Affair earlier this year, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The sentencing is for the one minor crime Olmert was convicted of in his Jerusalem District Court corruption trial – breach of public trust in the Investment Center Affair.

The suspended sentence is conditional on Olmert not committing the same crime in the next three years.

Reading their ruling in the sentencing, the judges noted that Olmert improperly favored Uri Messer four times. Olmert was acquitted in July of all serious crimes involving significant prison time in a host of affairs.

The state recommended the court hand down a six month sentence.

The State Attorney’s Office shocked the country in sidestepping the issue of moral turpitude and suggesting to the court that the issue could be left on the back burner until and if Olmert ever decides to make a political comeback.

A finding of moral turpitude would have essentially ended Olmert’s political career since it prohibits participation in politics for seven years and Olmert will turn 67 on Sept 30.