Jerusalem: Former Israeli prime minister
Ehud Olmert on Monday pleaded not guilty, denying all the graft
charges against him in the first case of its kind in the
history of the Jewish state.
"In the name of my client, I would like to categorically
deny all charges against him," Olmert`s lawyer Elie Zohar told
the court, according to Israeli media.
The 64-year-old Olmert, who was present in court, is the
first Israeli ex-premier to face criminal charges.
Olmert resigned as prime minister under pressure in
September 2008 after police recommended he be indicted, but
has always insisted on his innocence and told journalists on
Friday he was confident the trial would vindicate him.
The court is due to start hearing testimony in the case
on February 22 and is to hold three sessions a week.
If found guilty, Olmert could face time behind bars,
although it is unclear exactly how much.
Olmert was charged in August with three counts of graft.
The 61-page indictment includes allegations of "fraud,
breach of trust, registering false corporate documents and
concealing fraudulent earnings."
All the charges concern actions Olmert allegedly took
before he became prime minister in May 2006, first as mayor of
Jerusalem and later as trade and industry minister.
PTI
