Olmert’s Corruption Trial Opens in Israel

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is being tried on charges of corruption that allegedly occurred while he was Jerusalem’s mayor and later a Cabinet member. Olmert maintains his innocence, claiming a three-year smear campaign forced him to resign as prime minister a year ago.  —JCL

The BBC:

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.

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.

“I came here as an innocent man and I believe I will leave here as an innocent man,” he said.

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Ehud Olmert maintains his innocence and scoffed at suggestions he might go to prison.