Fresh corruption charge for former Israeli leader

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, already charged in three separate corruption cases, was yesterday indicted over fresh bribery allegations.

Mr Olmert took over as Israel’s premier after Ariel Sharon suffered a stroke in 2006, but resigned in 2008.

Yesterday’s indictment concerned his spell as mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003, during which, it is alleged, millions of dollars were paid to him and other officials to approve a luxury housing project, the Holyland Towers, a high-rise development, styled an “architectural atrocity” by critics.

He denies wrongdoing.

In a separate case, he also denied overcharging the state and charities for trips abroad as a cabinet minister and as mayor. It is alleged he duplicated expense claims and made up itineraries. One of the charities allegedly duped was Yad Vashem, the Israeli memorial for Holocaust victims, and Akim, which helps the disabled.

In a third case, he is charged with receiving over $600,000 from US businessman Morris Talansky from 1997-2005.