Former Israeli finance minister indicted

Israeli prosecutors indicted former finance minister Avraham Hirchson today on charges of theft, fraud and breach of trust, the…

Israeli prosecutors indicted former finance minister Avraham Hirchson today on charges of theft, fraud and
breach of trust, the latest in a string of corruption probes against top officials.

Mr Hirchson, a stalwart of the ruling Kadima party and a close ally of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, stepped down last year - a year after he was appointed - amid accusations hanging over him from his time as trade union leader.

He is accused of embezzling funds belonging to a non-profit organisation linked to the National Workers' Organisation, a trade union body. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Olmert is also under criminal investigation, which threatens to drive him from office. Mr Olmert has denied any wrongdoing and has rebuffed calls that he step aside over allegations that he took envelopes stuffed with cash from a US businessman.

Mr Olmert has said he would resign if indicted.