Jerusalem District Court President Justice Mousya Arad on Monday rejected petitions from lawyers representing Ehud Olmert and Shula Zaken, who were seeking to postpone the start of their criminal trials until after Sukkos.

The court ruled the trial will begin on 29 September at 4:00pm, unwilling to entertain additional delays.

The former prime minister will face charges pertaining to a number of cases, including the Talansky cash envelopes, Rishon Tours and the investment fund scandal. Zaken, his longtime personal aide and confidant will face charges relating to some of the cases as well as obstructing the investigation against the former prime minister.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)