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ISRAEL’s ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years in jail today for taking bribes in a massive real-estate deal.
The first criminal conviction of a former Israeli head of government all but ended speculation that Olmert, 68, might return to political life.
He had denied wrongdoing in the property deal that took place while he was Jerusalem mayor.
“A public servant who takes bribes is akin to a traitor,” said Judge David Rozen of the Tel Aviv District Court.
“Olmert is a criminal who devoted most of his time to praiseworthy public service. But he also lined his own pockets.”
Olmert was ordered to report to prison on September 1, giving his lawyers time to lodge an appeal.
Judge Rozen found Mr Olmert guilty of two bribery charges and said he accepted 500,000 shekels (£85,500) from developers of the Holyland apartment building complex in Jerusalem and 60,000 shekels for a separate project.
