Police set to indict Olmert on corruption charges

ISRAEL: Israeli police are likely to recommend on Sunday that the prime minister Ehud Olmert be indicted on corruption charges, Israeli media reported yesterday.

A police source declined to comment on how investigators would advise the state prosecution service. But he said police would announce their recommendations in the long-running case "within the next few days".

With Mr Olmert committed to resigning after his Kadima party holds a leadership election on September 17th, a police recommendation to bring charges against him will have no immediate impact on his tenure and does not guarantee an indictment will be filed.

Newspaper reports said police had completed three of five corruption inquiries against Mr Olmert and believe they have evidence showing he illegally received money from a US businessman, made duplicate claims for travel expenses and used a former cabinet post to promote a friend's business interests. - (Reuters)

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times