News / Palestine

Israeli ex-PM sentenced to 8 months behind bars

Monday, 25 May 2015 7:18 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 25 May 2015 3:18 PM ]

A file photo of former Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert in 2015. AFP photo

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been sentenced to jail over corruption.

The al-Quds (Jerusalem) District Court on Monday ordered Olmert to also pay a fine of $25,000.

Right after the court sentenced him, his lawyers requested a time frame to appeal the decision,which was approved by authorities.

Olmert’s legal team now has 45 days to appeal the sentence.

The three-judge panel of the court found that Olmert had used the cash he received in sealed envelopes from New York-based businessman Morris Talansky for personal expenses such as expensive cigars and suits.

Morris Talansky appeared as a key witness In the corruption trial against Olmert in 2015. AFP photo

Reportedly, Talansky had given Olmert some money-filled envelopes when the Israeli official served as mayor of al-Quds and as a cabinet minister before becoming prime minister in 2006.

The case had been going on since 2008 with many legal proceedings.

This specific case was dismissed and then the court reversed its decision back in March, 2015 .

Back in 2009, one of Olmert’s main confidants submitted tape recordings of conversations with the former prime minister about receiving the money which led to the legal proceedings.

The 69-year-old ex-premier is already facing a six-year-jail term for another bribery and money laundering conviction.

Corruption charges and similar scandals involving senior Israeli officials have rocked the Tel Aviv regime in recent years.

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