|
Home>News Center>World | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Police question Israel's Sharon in bribery scandal Police arrived at Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's official residence Thursday to question him about a bribery scandal over which he may eventually face criminal charges himself, witnesses said. A businessman friend was charged last month with trying to bribe Sharon in the 1990s. Police sources said Sharon, who has denied any wrongdoing, would be questioned about suspicious real estate deals promoted by the businessman.
Commentators said the case could weaken the former general's hand in any talks with the Palestinians, while critics suggest his shock announcement this week of a plan to get settlers out of the Gaza Strip might aim to divert attention from the affair.
Prosecutors said indicted businessman David Appel hired Sharon's son Gilad in 1999 and paid him large sums to persuade his father, then foreign minister, to promote real estate deals including a Greek island resort that was never built.
The indictment against Appel, who has denied the charges, did not cite any evidence that Sharon knowingly accepted political favors.
Prosecutors have said they should decide within months whether to indict the prime minister too -- a move many analysts believe would force him from office. |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
