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Israei MP convicted of corruption 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.