Today, Feb. 25 the trial over the former Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert charged with financial crimes reopened in Jerusalem District Court.

In particular, the formal accusation against Olmert includes charges from 3 different corruption cases, known as Money Envelopes, Rishon Tours and Investment Center. Inter alia, the charges against him include fraud, bribery and income tax evasion.

In case with Investment Center affair, the accused being a Minister of Industry, trade and labor is suspected of favoring firms that recruited attorney Uri Messer — his friend. Under the indictment, Olmert acted in favor of an oil importing firm (Shemen), that asked for tariff lifting.

In the Money Envelopes case, Olmert is charged with illegal receiving of tens of thousands dollars from a U.S. businessman and might argue that the money went for campaigns for years and the funds were legal contributions.

S.T.