Thursday, 17 February 2005Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will not be indicted in a long-running corruption scandal, officials say.
But Mr Sharon's son Omri will face charges over the illegal funding of a 1999 primary election campaign.
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz will reportedly ask the Knesset to lift Omri Sharon's parliamentary immunity.
Mr Mazuz has decided not to charge Sharon adviser Dov Weisglass, who had also been a subject of the three-year investigation into the scandal.
The prime minister had been accused of creating shell companies to channel foreign donations into his campaign in 1999 to become leader of the Likud party.
He denied the charges, maintaining that his sons alone were responsible for organising the financing of his political campaign.
Israel's attorney general said there was insufficient evidence that Ariel Sharon was involved.
Analysts say Omri, currently a member of parliament, could face up to seven years in prison if convicted on charges of fraud, breach of trust and perjury.
The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says the decision shows how the prime minister has managed to transform his political position.
A year ago Ariel Sharon was mired in scandal with three corruption cases against him and some who wondered if the cases could possibly end his premiership.
Now, our correspondent says, he appears to be home and dry. |
Thursday, 17 February 2005
BBC News
|
|
