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| Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert jailed for six years for bribery | Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert jailed for six years for bribery |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Ehud Olmert, the former Prime Minister of Israel, has been jailed for six years for taking bribes in a landmark corruption case, which could make him the first head of government in the state to serve time in prison. | Ehud Olmert, the former Prime Minister of Israel, has been jailed for six years for taking bribes in a landmark corruption case, which could make him the first head of government in the state to serve time in prison. |
| Olmert, who led the country from 2006 to 2009, also received a fine of NIS 1.5 million (£257,000) for bribery charges related to a real estate deal that took place while he was in his previous post of Jerusalem mayor. | Olmert, who led the country from 2006 to 2009, also received a fine of NIS 1.5 million (£257,000) for bribery charges related to a real estate deal that took place while he was in his previous post of Jerusalem mayor. |
| In his sentencing, Judge David Rozen condemned the crimes which he was convicted for as among the worst in the criminal code”, the Times of Israel has reported. “The crime of bribery can pollute civil service,” Judge Rozen was quoted as saying. | In his sentencing, Judge David Rozen condemned the crimes which he was convicted for as among the worst in the criminal code”, the Times of Israel has reported. “The crime of bribery can pollute civil service,” Judge Rozen was quoted as saying. |
| An hour before his sentenced was passed, Olmert protested his innocence in a statement. “This is a sad day, on which a severe and unjust verdict is to be handed down to an innocent man,” his spokesperson said. | An hour before his sentenced was passed, Olmert protested his innocence in a statement. “This is a sad day, on which a severe and unjust verdict is to be handed down to an innocent man,” his spokesperson said. |
| VIDEO: Olmert set to appeal six-year sentence | |
| Two years ago, the veteran politician was acquitted of most of the major charges brought against him in separate cases involving his links to a US businessman. | Two years ago, the veteran politician was acquitted of most of the major charges brought against him in separate cases involving his links to a US businessman. |
| Those corruption allegations forced Olmert's resignation as prime minister, and his acquittal had appeared to position him for a possible political comeback. | Those corruption allegations forced Olmert's resignation as prime minister, and his acquittal had appeared to position him for a possible political comeback. |
| But in the new corruption trial, Judge David Rozen found the 68-year-old guilty of two bribery charges and said he accepted 500,000 shekels (£86,000) from developers of the Holyland apartment building complex in Jerusalem and 60,000 shekels (£10,000) in a separate real estate project. | But in the new corruption trial, Judge David Rozen found the 68-year-old guilty of two bribery charges and said he accepted 500,000 shekels (£86,000) from developers of the Holyland apartment building complex in Jerusalem and 60,000 shekels (£10,000) in a separate real estate project. |
| His lawyers were expected to ask the Tel Aviv court that passed sentence to allow Olmert to remain free until the Supreme Court rules on an appeal against his 31 March conviction, a process that could take months. | His lawyers were expected to ask the Tel Aviv court that passed sentence to allow Olmert to remain free until the Supreme Court rules on an appeal against his 31 March conviction, a process that could take months. |
| Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |