Attorney General Menachem Mazuz several minutes ago announced he has ordered the police to open up a criminal investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert concerning the sale of his home in Jerusalem. The Prime Minister allegedly bought the house at a lower than appraised value in return for political favors. Prime Minister Olmert vehemently denied the charges but said he would cooperate in the investigation.

The Attorney General has not yet decided whether a criminal probe will be opened against the Prime Minister concerning suspicion that he used his position to help friends in the government's sale of its shares in Bank Leumi when he was Finance Minister.