Olmert joins list of convicted Israeli politicians

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s ex-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years in prison on Tuesday for his part in a wide-ranging bribery case. While he appears set to become the first Israeli prime minister to head to prison, he is the latest in a string of politicians sentenced to time behind bars. The following is a glance at other prominent Israeli figures convicted by the country’s justice system:

— President Moshe Katsav was Israel’s highest ranking official ever jailed. Katsav was forced to resign in June 2007 to face rape, sexual harassment and other charges dating back to his time as a government minister. He was convicted of rape and other sex crimes and began a seven-year sentence in 2011.

— Tzachi Hanegbi, an influential Israeli politician, was suspended from parliament in 2010 after convicted of perjury. He later returned to parliament.

— Shlomo Benizri was jailed in 2009 after convicted of taking bribes when he served as employment and social affairs minister in 2002 and 2003. He served two-and-a-half years of a four-year sentence.

— Ex-Finance Minister Abraham Hirchson was jailed in 2009 for embezzling millions from a union he used to run.

— Omri Sharon, son of ex-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, served a few months in jail in 2008 after being convicted on campaign funding violations.

— Olmert ally Haim Ramon, a longtime Cabinet minister, was convicted in March 2007 of kissing a female soldier against her will. He was sentenced to community service and later returned to government.

— Aryeh Deri, leader of the large Ultra-Orthodox Shas party was jailed in 2000 for bribe-taking. He served almost two years.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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