10:16 IL: Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years imprisonment by the Tel Aviv District Court a short time ago. The sentencing hearing convened on Tuesday morning 13 Iyar 5774. Justice David Rosen presided.

The sentencing surrounds Olmert’s conviction in the Holyland real estate trial. He is the major defendant as the case involves many other elected officials on different levels of national and local government. The sentencing for former Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky and Avraham Feiner will take place in June. The court directed the prosecutor to exhibit leniency in their case since they did not pocket any bribe money.

Co-defendants in the case were also sentence as follows:
• Hillel Cherney – 3.5 years imprisonment
• Avigdor Kelner – 4 years imprisonment
• Meir Rabin – 5 years imprisonment
• Uri Sheetrit – 7 years imprisonment

Experts explain that there is no doubt Olmert’s legal team will appeal the case and conviction to the Supreme Court, adding it is difficult to know if the nation’s highest court will accept the appeal and agree to hear the case.

Even if the court accepts the case it may not delay the sentence. The former prime minister may be imprisoned pending the outcome of the appeal. Experts are stating it is not likely the court will permit delaying his imprisonment but there is no doubt his legal team will work hard to keep him out of jail pending the appeal.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)