A parole board on Thursday morning 5 Tammuz decided to approve a request for the early release of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert has served 15 months in prison and authorities agreed to remove one-third of his sentence on good behavior.

The parole board’s decision will lead to Olmert’s release on Sunday, 8 Tammuz. The committee dismissed a third of the sentence of Olmert, who was convicted of accepting a bribe and began to serve his sentence in February 2016. The prosecution expressed opposition to the release. The decision was made against the background of the examination of the publication of Olmert’s classified documents to the Yediot Achronot publishing house and Olmert’s hospitalization last week.

Attorney Eli Zohar, who represents Olmert, said this morning before the parole board hearing: “I very much hope that the result will be as we wished. Olmert left the hospital and will be in the discussion today, and we wish him success”. Asked whether he felt that Olmert was being persecuted by the State Prosecutor’s Office, Zohar replied: “One day we will share feelings.”

Olmert was released from Tel Hashomer Hospital on Wednesday. He was transported to the hospital last week after complaining he did not feel well and it was decided to admit him and rule out a cardiac incident, which they did.

At present, barring any appeals challenging his release, this coming Shabbos will be Olmert’s last in prison.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)