Watchdog recommends criminal probe into Israel PM

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2007

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel's public watchdog on Wednesday recommended that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert face a criminal investigation into corruption allegations while a cabinet minister four years ago.

"The state comptroller presented to the Knesset and the relevant people a report on on Wednesday into suspected conflicts of interest in Mr Olmert's activities as trade and industry minister," a statement from his office said.

In the report, Micha Lindenstrauss accused Olmert in 2003 of trying to advance a former business partner's interests by giving him state funds to help set up a factory in southern Israel.

The company in question was represented by the business partner in question, lawyer Uriel Meser, who is widely considered the main force behind Olmert's...