After his conviction and six-month prison term in the Holyland real estate case, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday, 7 Sivan was sentenced to eight-months imprisonment and a 100,000 NIS fine in the Talansky cash envelopes case. The sentence was handed down by the Jerusalem District Court. This case pertains to Olmert’s tenure as mayor of Yerushalayim.

Olmert was acquitted in the case in 2012 but a number of months ago the Jerusalem District Court threw out the acquittal in light of new evidence in the case. Olmert continues to maintain his innocence. However the court accepted the new evidence presented by state witness Shula Zaken, the former PM’s longtime assistant and close confidant.

The defense called for leniency in light of the fact the case dates back some 13 years. Justice Yaakov Tzaban stated jail time is mandatory in light of the severity of the nation’s leader being convicted of breach of trust and accepting bribes.

The Supreme Court is permitting a delay in entering prison in the Holyland conviction pending the outcome of the former PM’s appeal in that case. In this case the district court has given Olmert 45 days before entering prison to permit his legal team sufficient time to appeal to the Supreme Court, which may permit him to remain a free man pending the outcome of that trial.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Posted Isru Chag Shavuos Eretz Yisrael)