Israeli police recommend indictment of Ehud Olmert

JERUSALEM - Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert should be indicted on corruption and bribery charges, police recommended Monday.

Olmert is suspected of having accepted bribes of about $262,000 during his tenures as mayor of Jerusalem and later as trade minister.

The money, according to the indictment, came from real estate developers and businessmen in exchange for helping advance their interests in the Holyland luxury residential complex in southern Jerusalem, and other real estate projects.

The former prime minister denies the allegations against him. “Olmert has declared in the clearest manner that he never accepted bribes, directly or indirectly,” his media adviser said in response to the police announcement.

The police investigation was launched after a businessman, who was involved in the Holyland initiative and eventually went bankrupt, offered information in exchange for turning state witness and having his financial debts covered by the state.

A police statement released Monday said the investigation dug up enough evidence to indict Olmert on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of public trust.

The statement added that solid evidence had also been gathered against a long list of businessmen and public officials for their alleged involvement in the affair.