Inside lavish Holyland, marble floors and flowing fountainsOlmert announces date of return to Israel, denies connection to caseMesser’s attorney, Shimon Dolan, said the incident was little more thana misunderstanding by police of a joke made by his client. Messerapparently had jotted down a note during his interrogation, which mayhave contributed to the police’s decision to retract its offer of housearrest.Messer is suspected of transferring hundreds of thousands of shekels inbribes to senior public officials on behalf of businessmen seekingfavors related to real estate projects, including the Holylandresidential development in Jerusalem, the Tzuk Menara land developmentplan in the Galilee and projects by the Zera company.During the remand hearing Dolan asked the police representative incourt whether its custody request was linked to a desire to “keepMesser behind bars while you wait for someone to return from abroad toquestion him,” referring to ex-prime minister Olmert. The policerepresentative replied by referring to the secret dossier.Dolan also asked whether the police’s investigation strategy was linkedto the ongoing trial against Olmert. In his decision, Haiman ruled thatthere was no connection.Dolan argued that Messer’s role in the Holyland investigation was marginal, and not central as police had attempted to portray.Following the hearing, Dolan told reporters that the police conduct was“very strange,” adding that an offer to release his client to housearrest was retracted “just two to three hours after it was made.”Earlier, Time magazine citedunnamed officials as saying that police would arrest Olmert as soon ashe landed at Ben-Gurion Airport from his trip abroad. Police refused toconfirm or deny the reports.A partial gag order is in effect, prohibiting publication of many details of the investigation.
Messer 'mysteriously' remanded
Olmert former confidant held in Holyland scandal investigation.
Inside lavish Holyland, marble floors and flowing fountainsOlmert announces date of return to Israel, denies connection to caseMesser’s attorney, Shimon Dolan, said the incident was little more thana misunderstanding by police of a joke made by his client. Messerapparently had jotted down a note during his interrogation, which mayhave contributed to the police’s decision to retract its offer of housearrest.Messer is suspected of transferring hundreds of thousands of shekels inbribes to senior public officials on behalf of businessmen seekingfavors related to real estate projects, including the Holylandresidential development in Jerusalem, the Tzuk Menara land developmentplan in the Galilee and projects by the Zera company.During the remand hearing Dolan asked the police representative incourt whether its custody request was linked to a desire to “keepMesser behind bars while you wait for someone to return from abroad toquestion him,” referring to ex-prime minister Olmert. The policerepresentative replied by referring to the secret dossier.Dolan also asked whether the police’s investigation strategy was linkedto the ongoing trial against Olmert. In his decision, Haiman ruled thatthere was no connection.Dolan argued that Messer’s role in the Holyland investigation was marginal, and not central as police had attempted to portray.Following the hearing, Dolan told reporters that the police conduct was“very strange,” adding that an offer to release his client to housearrest was retracted “just two to three hours after it was made.”Earlier, Time magazine citedunnamed officials as saying that police would arrest Olmert as soon ashe landed at Ben-Gurion Airport from his trip abroad. Police refused toconfirm or deny the reports.A partial gag order is in effect, prohibiting publication of many details of the investigation.