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PM probe: Olmert files motion to suppress Talansky deposition

High Court denies Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s motion to suppress Moshe Talansky’s pre-trial deposition citing it may hinder PM’s right to due process. Dramatic testimony expected in 10 days

by Aviram Zino (IsraelNews)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attorneys filed a motion to suppress Moshe Talansky’s pre-trial deposition, Thursday, with the High Court. The motion was denied, and Talansky’s deposition remained scheduled for May 25.

Olmert’s attorneys believe that a enforcing the ruling allowing Talansky to testify may hinder the investigation into the alleged monetary transactions between the two

Earlier this week, the Jerusalem District Court granted Attorney General Menachem Mazuz’s motion to have Talansky deposed.

The pre-trial deposition will be considered – for all legal intents and purposes – as a would-be court testimony. State Prosecutor Moshe Lador told the court that Talansky “expressed before one of the police officers, a fear that Olmert would send someone to harm him.”

On the night of Israel’s Independence Day, the court allowed the publication of information revealing that Olmert was investigated for allegedly receiving cash payments from Talansky over a long period of time. Olmert has denied all the allegations.

The petition noted that the decision to allow Talansky to be deposed prior to any decision about an indictment will harm the prime minister’s chances of due legal process. Shula Zaken, Olmert’s former bureau chief, also submitted a petition regarding the matter, via her legal counsel.

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Police want to interrogate Olmert within 48 hours

Investigators want to question PM before his attorneys see testimony of key witness Talansky

by Aviram Zino> (IsraelNews)

Another urgent interrogation: Police officials are in contact with the Prime Minister’s Office in order to set a time for another questioning session in the probe against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Police investigators want the next questioning session to be held within the next 48 hours.

The Jerusalem District Court approved a few days ago Attorney General Menachem Mazuz’s request to get an early testimony from the key witness in the latest affair faced by Olmert, Moshe (Morris) Talansky – this testimony can then be used in a future trial against the prime minister over alleged bribery offenses.

Talansky is scheduled to provide his testimony on May 25, and police officials are interested in interrogating Olmert before Talansky’s testimony. The PM’s attorneys asked to receive the full investigation materials from police ahead of the 25th, but investigators want to question Olmert before his attorneys receive the material.

This is why police officials are insisting on another urgent probe, arguing that a later questioning session would be less meaningful.

On Thursday, Olmert’s attorneys petitioned the High Court of Justice against the Jerusalem District court’s decision to allow Talansky’s early testimony.