Olmert Holyland probe lasts 8 hours

Former PM's US brother also suspected of receiving bribes.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
olmert at court 311 AJ (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
olmert at court 311 AJ
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
After weeks of speculation over how former primeminister Ehud Olmert would be questioned and whether he would bearrested over his alleged role in the Holyland bribery investigation,the ex-premier faced eight hours of questioning under caution atNational Fraud Unit headquarters in Lod on Tuesday morning.
Facing several detectives in the interrogation room, Olmert answeredall questions put to him, and did not resort to his right to remainsilent at any stage, police sources and his spokesman, Amir Dan, said.
“Olmert was not surprised by any of the questions put to him and did not hesitate to answer them all,” Dan said.RELATEDHolyland building frozen for 100 daysAnalysis: Holyland affair casts shadow on planning reformHolyland shows need to prevent business mixing illicitly with politicsPolice prepare to confront Olmert
Police suspect that during his term as Jerusalem mayor (1993 to 2003) and later as minister of trade, industry and labor (2003 to 2006), Olmert received more than NIS 1 million in bribes from businessmen backing the Holyland residential development in the capital, in exchange for which, police suspect, he worked to ensure that an enlarged construction plan for the site received approval.
Olmert denies all suspicions against him.
Police sources said he faced questions from a number of National Fraud Unit detectives simultaneously, and was asked to respond to suspicions that he accepted bribes, misused his public office, and laundered cash in the Holyland affair.
He was asked about his relationship with key Holyland suspects such as businessman Hillel Charni, who is suspected of being the chief bribe-giver. Olmert denied receiving bribes from Charni and denied receiving illicit cash through his former aides, Shula Zaken and Uri Messer.
Olmert was also asked about his motives forsupporting the Holyland project throughout critical periods when itrequired approvals. He denied that his was motivated by anyillegitimate interests.
A police source told TheJerusalem Post on Tuesday that the National Fraud Unit’s 120detectives had been divided into six task forces and tasked withmanaging six investigations of various suspicions that had come tolight since a state’s witness came forward with allegedly incriminatinginformation over the Holyland affair.
“Olmert is not the main story here. This is not like previous investigations that centered around him,” the source said.
Thepolice source indicated that Olmert would be questioned a few moretimes before the National Fraud Unit would complete its investigationinto his activities. He has been ordered to return to the NationalFraud Unit headquarters on Sunday morning for a second interrogation,during which he is expected to be confronted with allegedlyincriminating documents relating to the transfer of bribe funds. Policehave prohibited him from speaking to any other Holyland suspects in thecoming weeks.
Earlier this month, the National Fraud Unitexpanded its investigation to the US, as part of an effort to checkwhether Olmert transferred bribes he allegedly received frombusinessmen to his brother, Middle East analyst Yossi Olmert, who leftIsrael in 2004 due to heavy debts.
Prosecutors are seeking apermit from the US to check whether money was transferred into YossiOlmert’s American bank account, and the National Fraud Unit hasdispatched an investigator to the US as part of the investigation.