Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made a first appearance in a Jerusalem court for his trial on the corruption charges that led to his resignation.
"I come here as an innocent man," Mr Olmert told reporters as he arrived today at the Jerusalem District Court in remarks broadcast live on Israel's Channel 2 news.
The trial will break until February 22nd to give Mr Olmert's lawyers time to review the evidence, Channel 2 said, citing the court.
Mr Olmert (63) was indicted on August 30th on charges of fraud, breach of trust, failure to report income and falsifying documents.
He announced his resignation as prime minister in September last year while under investigation by police.
He was succeeded by Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu after elections in February. The charges relate to actions Mr Olmert took as industry and trade minister from 2003 to 2006 and as mayor of Jerusalem from 1993.
One set of charges stems from the allegation that he utilized the Rishon Tours travel agency to engage in multiple billing of public and private institutions for trips he made abroad on their behalf.
Mr Olmert is the first Israeli prime minister to stand trial. He could face prison if convicted on some of the charges.
Bloomberg