After the dramatic decision read this morning in the Tel Aviv District Court, in which Judge David Rosen convicted former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of accepting a bribe, two questions are being asked: How will he conduct himself from now on, and what sentence will he actually receive?
More than the other accomplices in the crimes, the court requested Shula Zaken's testimony, and the prosecution even pledged to reduce her sentence, in order to bring justice to the one who headed the paramedia - Ehud Olmert. The former mayor, minister, and prime minister. The one who claimed his innocence until the moment of the verdict.
Beyond the court's promise to commute Zaken's sentence, it is impossible to know what the sentences will be for Olmert and his friends. What is almost certain: Olmert will serve time in prison. The chief prosecutor, attorney Yoni Tadmor, explicitly stated that the ruling in the case is clear and binding, and noted: "In acts like these, the meaning is one - actual imprisonment, and for a long period.".
On April 28, arguments for the sentence will begin, which could lead Olmert behind bars. Along with the conviction, the court took its first step: issuing a stay of departure order for all the convicted, headed by Ehud Olmert. The question of disgrace is irrelevant at the moment, since Olmert's plans to run for public office have been shelved.
Upon the verdict, Attorney Tadmor expressed satisfaction and said that these are the most senior figures convicted of extremely serious acts. Regarding the sentence, he said: "It seems to me that the extent of the punishment can be speculated upon. This is a sweeping conviction, and we will appeal for the appropriate punishment.".
Political-legal experience teaches us that there is no identical punishment for two different people for the same offenses, but from past rulings by elected officials we can learn that the court seeks to judge state leaders harshly, and that the punishment should constitute a price tag for corruption, so that other public figures will listen and be afraid.
The 12th Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Ehud Olmert, thus joins a line of elected officials who have been convicted in the State of Israel. From Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri, to former Finance Minister Avraham Hirshson, to former President Moshe Katsav. Olmert was convicted of accepting a bribe, which is the most serious offense in the field of corruption, and his sentence could be up to 10 years in prison.
If Olmert appeals to the Supreme Court, the move could increase his sentence.
What's next: Will Olmert appeal?
As for the legal steps from here on out, Olmert's attorney, Attorney Roy Belcher, clarified that the last word has not been said, and that the defense team will consider its steps. His other attorney, Attorney Eli Zohar, said: "We need to understand what the meaning of the charges he was convicted of, what the meaning of the charges he was acquitted of, and how we proceed from here.".
The most likely step is for Olmert to appeal his sentence. After the verdict this morning, the judge set a date for the sentencing arguments to be read on April 28, giving both sides a fairly short period of time to prepare for this stage. The verdict will be read a few weeks later. Olmert's battery of lawyers does not have much time to decide whether to appeal or not.
The climax will be after the verdict, when the parties will have to decide – within 45 days – whether to appeal. Olmert, as mentioned, is expected to appeal the verdict and sentence. In the entire period ahead, Olmert will still not go to prison, if so decided, because the appeal could take many months in the Supreme Court, and perhaps even longer.
Let's not forget that if Olmert had been acquitted, he could have tried to run again for the prime ministership against Benjamin Netanyahu, with the help and support of the center-left parties. But it seems that someone who often positions himself in front of the media as an alternative, with the sign "I'll be back soon," will end up far from the prime minister's house.
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