Deri asks Jerusalem court to rule if he can run for mayor

Mayoral candidate seeks declarative legal OK; his lawyers say 7 year 'cooling period' not relevant.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Former Shas leader Aryeh Deri on Tuesday filed a request that the Jerusalem District Court determine whether he is legally qualified to participate in the city's mayoral race. Deri's attorneys, Zvi Agmon and Yoav Hirsch, claim that his period of disgrace has ended and were expected to file an appeal to the administrative court demanding a declarative verdict on the matter. According to Israeli law, Deri is not permitted to present himself as mayoral candidate for seven years following his release from jail. Deri was released in July 2002 after serving two years in prison on counts of bribery, fraud and breach of public trust. His 'cooling-off period' should legally end in 10 months. Agmon and Hirsch have claimed the seven years' law does not apply to Deri because it was legislated only after he entered prison, and that a punitive law cannot be applied retroactively.