.contact us |.about us
News > International News ... ...
Search:
    Advertisement
Police question Israel's Sharon in funding scandal
( 2003-10-30 17:14) (Agencies)

Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Thursday for the first time over two political funding scandals that could dent his widespread public support among Israelis.

Police are investigating the right-wing leader and his two sons over a $1.5 million loan from a South Africa-based friend used as collateral to repay what judicial authorities found to have been illegal contributions to Sharon's campaign for election as Likud party chief in 1999.

Another scandal revolves around what police say was a bid by a developer with Likud ties to buy a Greek resort island with the help of Sharon when he was foreign minister by employing his son Gilad and donating to his campaign chest.

Sharon has denied any wrongdoing and promised to cooperate with the investigation.

Sharon was questioned at his official residence in Jerusalem, police sources said.

Political commentators said that while Sharon's image has been tarnished in Israel, he faces no imminent risk of being forced from office as he still enjoys strong public support for his tough approach to a three-year-old Palestinian uprising.

But a recent opinion poll found the majority of Israelis would like Sharon to resign if evidence was found of misconduct.

Much of the publicity around the case has focused on Gilad Sharon's refusal to answer police questions or hand over documents, citing his right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination.

Police have been investigating the scandals for months and have also questioned Sharon's other son, Omri, a Likud legislator.

Sharon's predecessors, Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak, were also the subject of corruption investigations that ultimately failed to yield criminal charges against them.

 
Close  
   
  Today's Top News   Top International News
   
+Wu continues Korean visit, eyes on nuclear progress
( 2003-10-30)
+Bush meets Chinese defense minister
( 2003-10-30)
+China, EU leaders discuss yuan, geopolitics
( 2003-10-30)
+Disaster looms for Taiwan separatists
( 2003-10-30)
+$1.68 million not enough for gang
( 2003-10-30)
+Police question Israel's Sharon in funding scandal
( 2003-10-30)
+Crews dig in against Calif. wildfires
( 2003-10-30)
+As Concorde goes, so do we
( 2003-10-30)
+$25 million reward for al-Qaeda figure
( 2003-10-30)
+S.Korea fires at N.Korea patrol boat
( 2003-10-30)
   
  Go to Another Section  
     
 
 
     
  Article Tools  
     
 
 
     
  Related Articles  
     
 

+Israel, US developing laser cannon
2003-10-30

+Israelis may put pigs on guard duty
2003-10-29

+Sharon's Likud loses in local elections
2003-10-29

+Hezbollah attack draws Israeli airstrikes
2003-10-28

 
     
   
        .contact us |.about us
  Copyright By chinadaily.com.cn. All rights reserved