Israel’s former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been convicted in a bribery trial linked to a luxury property development in al-Quds (Jerusalem).

On Monday, a Tel Aviv court found Olmert guilty of receiving two counts of bribes related to the construction of the massive so-called “Holyland” residential complex when he was mayor of Al-Quds.

He was accused of receiving bribes to push the project forward.

“We’re talking about corrupt and filthy practices,” said Judge David Rosen while reading the verdict.

The judge also cited a “corrupt political system which has decayed over the years... and in which hundreds of thousands of shekels were transferred to elected officials.”

The trial included 16 defendants and lasted over two years.

In 2010, Olmert had been announced as the key suspect in the case as he allegedly received bribes of about 1.5 million shekels (USD 430,000).

Olmert was mayor of al-Quds (Jerusalem) between 1993 and 2003. He became the prime minister in 2006.

The former Kadima party leader resigned from premiership in September 2008 after police recommended that he would be charged in several corruption cases.

Sentencing will be held in another court session, but legal experts believe that Olmert’s case will certainly include a prison term.

Prosecutors are expected to open a new case against Olmert on obstruction of justice charges.

By Press TV

 

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