This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7324440.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Israeli MP convicted of corruption | |
(1 day later) | |
A court in Israel has convicted a prominent member of parliament, Shlomo Benizri, of corruption. | A court in Israel has convicted a prominent member of parliament, Shlomo Benizri, of corruption. |
Benizri, a member of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and former government minister, will be sentenced at a later date, court officials say. | Benizri, a member of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and former government minister, will be sentenced at a later date, court officials say. |
He was charged with a variety of offences including accepting bribes from a contractor to cover the cost of furniture and home renovations. | He was charged with a variety of offences including accepting bribes from a contractor to cover the cost of furniture and home renovations. |
This is the latest in a number of scandals involving senior politicians. | This is the latest in a number of scandals involving senior politicians. |
Benizri insisted he was innocent during the trial, which lasted more than two years and saw about 200 witnesses called to testify. | Benizri insisted he was innocent during the trial, which lasted more than two years and saw about 200 witnesses called to testify. |
According to court documents a contractor donated money to a Jewish seminary linked to Benizri, bought him furniture and an air conditioner and renovated his apartment. | According to court documents a contractor donated money to a Jewish seminary linked to Benizri, bought him furniture and an air conditioner and renovated his apartment. |
In return, Benizri intervened to help the contractor's business interests by passing on classified information and granting him valuable permits to bring foreign workers to Israel. | In return, Benizri intervened to help the contractor's business interests by passing on classified information and granting him valuable permits to bring foreign workers to Israel. |
It is not immediately clear if Benizri will resign his seat in parliament, but a spokesman has said that he will appeal against the conviction. | It is not immediately clear if Benizri will resign his seat in parliament, but a spokesman has said that he will appeal against the conviction. |
Shas, which has 12 seats in the Israeli parliament, is a key member of Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert's governing coalition. | Shas, which has 12 seats in the Israeli parliament, is a key member of Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert's governing coalition. |
The party has threatened to leave the government over the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. | The party has threatened to leave the government over the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. |
Correspondents say it is unlikely that Benizri's conviction would affect the coalition. | Correspondents say it is unlikely that Benizri's conviction would affect the coalition. |
Previous version
1
Next version