This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7035000.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fraud unit to question Israeli PM Fraud unit to question Israeli PM
(about 1 hour later)
Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, is to be questioned by police over his role in a bank privatisation deal.Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, is to be questioned by police over his role in a bank privatisation deal.
He is suspected of trying to influence the sale of the state's controlling interest in Bank Leumi in favour of a friend whilst finance minister in 2005.He is suspected of trying to influence the sale of the state's controlling interest in Bank Leumi in favour of a friend whilst finance minister in 2005.
Mr Olmert has denied any wrongdoing. He has faced other corruption inquiries, but no formal charges have been filed.Mr Olmert has denied any wrongdoing. He has faced other corruption inquiries, but no formal charges have been filed.
Last month, the attorney-general opened a criminal investigation into his purchase of a property in Jerusalem.Last month, the attorney-general opened a criminal investigation into his purchase of a property in Jerusalem.
The move came after a government watchdog concluded Mr Olmert paid $325,000 (£162,500) below market value for the house to a developer.The move came after a government watchdog concluded Mr Olmert paid $325,000 (£162,500) below market value for the house to a developer.
Other politicians have also been blighted by serious allegations. Earlier this year, Israel's former President, Moshe Katsav, struck a plea bargain with the attorney-general to avoid rape charges.Other politicians have also been blighted by serious allegations. Earlier this year, Israel's former President, Moshe Katsav, struck a plea bargain with the attorney-general to avoid rape charges.
Fraud unitFraud unit
Mr Olmert will be questioned in his official residence in Jerusalem at 0900 (0700 GMT) on Thursday by three National Fraud Unit investigators.Mr Olmert will be questioned in his official residence in Jerusalem at 0900 (0700 GMT) on Thursday by three National Fraud Unit investigators.
OLMERT TIMELINE 1945: Born in Binyamina1973: Elected to the Knesset1993-2003: Jerusalem mayor2003-2006: Ministerial postsApril 2006: Prime minister Profile: Ehud Olmert Israel's graft 'epidemic'OLMERT TIMELINE 1945: Born in Binyamina1973: Elected to the Knesset1993-2003: Jerusalem mayor2003-2006: Ministerial postsApril 2006: Prime minister Profile: Ehud Olmert Israel's graft 'epidemic'
The police are expected to ask the prime minister what his role was in convincing his friend, the Australian businessman Frank Lowy, to enter the bidding for Bank Leumi, whether any of the changes he introduced in the tender were at Mr Lowy's behest, and why he failed to inform anyone of a possible conflict of interest.The police are expected to ask the prime minister what his role was in convincing his friend, the Australian businessman Frank Lowy, to enter the bidding for Bank Leumi, whether any of the changes he introduced in the tender were at Mr Lowy's behest, and why he failed to inform anyone of a possible conflict of interest.
Mr Olmert has said he persuaded officials to make several changes to the tender in order to encourage strategic investors to bid for the bank.Mr Olmert has said he persuaded officials to make several changes to the tender in order to encourage strategic investors to bid for the bank.
At the end of the investigation, the police will present their recommendation to the State Prosecutor's Office.At the end of the investigation, the police will present their recommendation to the State Prosecutor's Office.
Correspondents say it may be difficult to prove any wrongdoing because Mr Lowy ultimately withdrew his bid and there seems to be no evidence of Mr Olmert having received anything in return. Observers say it may be difficult to prove any wrongdoing because Mr Lowy ultimately withdrew his bid and there seems to be no evidence of Mr Olmert having received anything in return.
However, the prime minister could face charges of breach of trust if it is proven he took an active role in the sale despite an apparent conflict of interest.However, the prime minister could face charges of breach of trust if it is proven he took an active role in the sale despite an apparent conflict of interest.
Mr Olmert is the last person to be questioned in the case. Israeli police questioned Mr Lowy in Australia in May.Mr Olmert is the last person to be questioned in the case. Israeli police questioned Mr Lowy in Australia in May.