When police suspect a former prime minister is guilty of law-breaking, it moves cautiously and seeks firm ground prior to publically making accusations or possibly arresting the suspect. It appears that this is the case in the constantly developing Holyland investigation.

Following Shula Zaken’s return to Israel on Monday afternoon, at which time she was taken into police custody, in the airport, police appear to be moving forward regarding the Olmert connection to the high profile case. When appearing before the Rishon L’Tzion Magistrate’s Court to request Zaken’s remand for an additional seven days, police explained she allegedly was the person who contacted “a former Jerusalem mayor who went on to become a minister of industry & trade”, working to persuade him to back the project and ultimately passing bribe funds to him.

As the case builds, the pieces of the puzzle may be falling into place as a number of other ongoing cases against Ehud Olmert may be following suit. It is now looking increasingly likely that the former prime minister may be facing another set of indictments, this time pertaining to Holyland case.

Regarding Zaken, it appears police have collected enough evidence to move ahead with a multi-count indictment including accepting bribes, conspiracy to commit a crime, negotiating bribes for others, breach of trust, fraud and hindering a police investigation.

Reports indicate that Zaken is cooperating with police investigators, which analysts add if this is accurate, this will possibly incriminate the former prime minister.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)