The trial of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on a variety of charges and cases will begin next Tuesday, Sept. 29, as planned. His request for postponement was turned down this morning (Monday) by the Jerusalem District Court - though the trial will start two hours later than originally scheduled, at 16:00 instead of 14:00.
Olmert and his former bureau chief, Mrs. Shula Zaken, will be tried together. They are accused of fraudulent obtainment in aggravated circumstances, breach of trust, and other charges, covering four cases: Double billing for flights, in the case known as RishonTours; his collection of expensive pens, many of which he received as gifts from businessmen whom he allegedly helped in his capacity as Minister of Trade; conflict of interest in what is known as the Investment Center case; and the receipt of tens of thousands of dollars in cash envelopes from New York businessman Morris (Moshe) Talansky.
Zaken is also being charged with eavesdropping on Olmert’s conversations, even though Olmert has said he did not mind.
The various cases have been united into one in order to streamline the process, “which has already gone on far too long,” according to one source familiar with the case. The first suspicions against Olmert were raised nearly four years ago.
Olmert’s lawyer Eli Zohar had asked for the postponement in order to “study the investigative material.” The court accepted the prosecution’s position, however, that the material had been submitted long ago, and that the prosecuting attorney Uri Korev had offered to come to the aid of the defense in this matter.
The first session of the trial will merely be a reading of the charges against the defendants. The list of witnesses enumerated by the prosecution for possible testimony is very long – no fewer than 280.
Business is Prospering
Olmert’s company “Ehud Olmert Consulting Services, Ltd.” has grossed about NIS 2.5 million (roughly $ 750,000) since he left office several months ago. Most of the income is from abroad, the Hebrew-language Haaretz reported.