After former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was found guilty in the Holyland Real Estate bribery case, police appear to be preparing to question members of his legal team on suspicion of intentionally interfering in the investigation. This is the result of Shula Zaken providing the state with additional information in exchange for becoming a state witness against Olmert. Police are also planning to question the former prime minister in regard to his role in interfering with the ongoing investigation.

According to allegations, members of Olmert’s defense team pressured Zaken not to sign any plea bargain agreement for over a year for her admission to receiving a bribe would have compromised their client’s case.

Based on the testimony from Zaken last week, police feel Olmert himself as well as members of his legal team tampered with witnesses and induced perjury in the case.

There are also suspicions that Olmert tried to buy Zaken’s silence by funding her defense, asking business tycoon Daniel Abrams to fund Zaken’s defense costs in the case.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)