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Israel ex-PM's graft trial begins Israel ex-PM's graft trial begins
(about 2 hours later)
The trial of the former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on corruption charges has begun in Jerusalem.The trial of the former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on corruption charges has begun in Jerusalem.
Mr Olmert, the first Israeli prime minister to stand trial, denies charges of failing to declare income, breaching trust and falsifying corporate records.Mr Olmert, the first Israeli prime minister to stand trial, denies charges of failing to declare income, breaching trust and falsifying corporate records.
The charges relate to the periods when Mr Olmert was mayor of Jerusalem and a cabinet minister, but before he became the Israeli prime minister in 2006.The charges relate to the periods when Mr Olmert was mayor of Jerusalem and a cabinet minister, but before he became the Israeli prime minister in 2006.
As he arrived in court, Mr Olmert insisted he was not guilty.As he arrived in court, Mr Olmert insisted he was not guilty.
CHARGES AGAINST EHUD OLMERT Talasky case - charged over receiving $150,000 in cash from New York financier Morris (or Moshe) Talansky between 1997 and 2005 and with using Minister of Trade and Industry role to set up business introductions for Mr Talansky Rishon Tours - charged on over-billing the state and Jewish charities for expenses for foreign trips Investment Centre - charged over abusing role as Minister of Trade and Industry to the advantage of friend and former business partner, Uri Messer Political appointments - charges recommended on improperly appointing Likud party associates to posts on government bodies. Mr Olmert denies all charges Corruption allegations Olmert talks to BBC
"I came here as an innocent man and I believe I will leave here as an innocent man," he said."I came here as an innocent man and I believe I will leave here as an innocent man," he said.
ANALYSIS From Paul Wood, BBC Middle East correspondent:
The first criminal prosecution of a former Israeli prime minister is certainly a historical curiosity - but its political significance is all in the past.
The corruption allegations drove Mr Olmert from office. So a prime minister willing - albeit for reasons for national self-interest - to negotiate seriously about Palestinian statehood has been replaced by one who will do so only grudgingly and under US pressure.
There seems surprisingly little outrage - or even interest - in the Olmert case among ordinary Israelis. That is reflected in the limited and muted media coverage of the indictment.
Partly that is because of how long this whole affair has been going on - a three year ordeal as Mr Olmert himself described it on the way into court. Partly it is a measure of general cynicism about Israeli politics, which has not always been seen as clean in the past.
The issue of campaign finance, in particular, has led to many investigations of other Israeli politicians - although Mr Olmert is the most senior to find himself on the defendants' bench. Corruption allegations Olmert talks to BBC
Mr Olmert said he had been subjected to "an almost inhumane campaign of mudslinging and inquiries" for the past three years.Mr Olmert said he had been subjected to "an almost inhumane campaign of mudslinging and inquiries" for the past three years.
His lawyers have described the prosecution case as ridiculously weak.His lawyers have described the prosecution case as ridiculously weak.
ResignationResignation
Ehud Olmert was forced to resign last September over allegations that include taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash payments from an American businessman, Moshe Talanksy.Ehud Olmert was forced to resign last September over allegations that include taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash payments from an American businessman, Moshe Talanksy.
Mr Olmert insists they were legitimate donations for election campaigning, but Mr Talansky has hinted they were also used to fund a liking for fine hotels, cigars, pens and watches.Mr Olmert insists they were legitimate donations for election campaigning, but Mr Talansky has hinted they were also used to fund a liking for fine hotels, cigars, pens and watches.
The prosecution will state Mr Olmert over-charged Jewish charities $92,000 (about £60,000) for trips abroad through a sophisticated system of double-billing.The prosecution will state Mr Olmert over-charged Jewish charities $92,000 (about £60,000) for trips abroad through a sophisticated system of double-billing.
The money was allegedly kept in a secret account and used to pay for holidays and other travel for Mr Olmert's family and his family.The money was allegedly kept in a secret account and used to pay for holidays and other travel for Mr Olmert's family and his family.
Mr Olmert did not testify during the court appearance. Evidence will be heard from February, with hearings taking place three days a week, the Israeli media reported.Mr Olmert did not testify during the court appearance. Evidence will be heard from February, with hearings taking place three days a week, the Israeli media reported.
Some reports estimate that the case may last as long as four years. If found guilty Mr Olmert faces a lengthy prison term.Some reports estimate that the case may last as long as four years. If found guilty Mr Olmert faces a lengthy prison term.
In a BBC interview broadcast on Thursday, Mr Olmert scoffed at suggestions he might go to prison.In a BBC interview broadcast on Thursday, Mr Olmert scoffed at suggestions he might go to prison.
Ehud Olmert became prime minister in May 2006, after serving a number of months as acting prime minister following the stroke and subsequent coma of then PM, Ariel Sharon.Ehud Olmert became prime minister in May 2006, after serving a number of months as acting prime minister following the stroke and subsequent coma of then PM, Ariel Sharon.