Israeli ex-PM sentenced to 8 months in prison for fraud May 25, 2015 - 12:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been sentenced to eight months in prison for fraud and breach of trust. He was convicted at a retrial in March of taking more than $150,000 from a U.S. businessman. His lawyers have said they will appeal, BBC News reports. The sentence is in addition to a six-year jail term he received last year, after a separate bribery trial. Olmert served as Israeli PM from 2006 to 2009. He was forced to resign amid corruption allegations, which ended his political career. His departure disrupted the Israeli peace process with the Palestinians and cleared the way for the election of Benjamin Netanyahu, seen as more hardline on the peace issue. Olmert was acquitted of accepting envelopes stuffed with cash from New York-based financier, Morris Talansky in 2012. However, a retrial was ordered after recordings emerged, in which he referred to receiving the money while trade and industry minister in the early 2000s. Olmert has always claimed he is innocent and has described the allegations against him as "a brutal, ruthless witch-hunt". The 69-year-old is currently appealing against the six-year sentence he was given in May 2014 over a real estate deal that took place when he was mayor of Jerusalem in the 1990s. He was convicted of accepting bribes in return for speeding up a controversial residential development, known as Holyland, in the heart of the city. Related links:   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims  Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide.Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed.Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham).Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills |
