Court: Sentencing arguments in Holyland case - in 4 weeks

June Green
March 31, 2014   
This is not a long period of time for the defendants' defense attorneys to prepare their arguments. • Olmert is likely to face a prison sentence.
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Tel Aviv District Court Judge David Rosen announced that the arguments for the sentence of the defendants convicted in the Holyland case will be heard in 4 weeks - on April 28th.

This is not a long period of time for the defendants' defense attorneys to prepare their arguments.

The decisive testimonies in the trial were those of Yossi Olmert and the state witness. The transfer of a huge sum of money by the state witness was the essence of Yossi Olmert's testimony and the basis for the former prime minister's conviction. Regarding Olmert, the judge wrote that although Olmert tried to distance himself from the state witness, "the defendant's descriptions do not characterize reality." According to the judge, "the defendant sought to discredit the state witness even if it meant telling a lie from the stand." "Olmert has a continuous line of defense. Wealthy people influence him for their own good and remain silent. Righteous, generous. His line of defense is unacceptable," the judge ruled.

The judge further noted that "Yossi Olmert, Ehud Olmert's brother, confirmed essential details in the state witness's testimony. The only connection between Yossi Olmert and the state witness is defendant 8 (Ehud Olmert - NIS). The money was transferred to Yossi Olmert at Ehud Olmert's request.".

Olmert was convicted of the crime of bribery regarding the funds his brother received, but was acquitted due to doubt of the crime of brokering a bribe between a state witness and Jerusalem city engineer, Uri Sheetrit, and receiving funds from the state witness through the mediation of Shula Zaken.

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Shula Zaken was convicted of all but one count of the charges against her. According to Judge Zaken's ruling, she accepted money and gifts from the state's witness.


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