Mazuz decides not to indict PM in Greek Island affair

[Gimel]

Attorney General Menachem Mazuz announced in a live television broadcast on Tuesday at 5 P.M. that he will not indict Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in the Greek Island affair due to lack of sufficient evidence. The attorney general also announced that he would not pursue an indictment against the prime minister's son, Gilad, who was also suspected of involvement in a bribery scheme.

"Testimony in this case does not lead us to the conclusion there is any basis for an indictment," Mazuz said. "The case against Ariel Sharon and his son Gilad will be closed due to insufficient evidence," he added.

During his introductory remarks before announcing his decision to close the case, Mazuz reviewed the series of earlier assessments by justice officials, including a recommendation by former state prosecutor Edna Arbel in March to indict the prime minister on charges of accepting bribes from contractor and Likud powerbroker David Appel.

Appel has been indicted for allegedly bribing Sharon in return for political favors, including helping Appel win the Greek government's approval for plans to develop a gambling resort on a Greek island.

Continued here...

[Gimel]

1. Later legal actions

Watchdog group files challenge to Mazuz decision

An anti-corruption watchdog group petitioned the High Court Wednesday to overturn the decision by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to drop a bribery case against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, court sources said.

The petition was filed by the Movement for Quality Government a day after Mazuz announced that he was closing his investigation, saying he lacked evidence to charge Sharon in the so-called Greek island affair.

A number of leftist politicians have also said they intended to challenge the case in court. Prior to the Mazuz announcement, MKs Yossi Sarid (Yahad-Meretz) and Eitan Cabel (Labor) had said they would petition the court should Mazuz decide against indicting the prime minister.

However, court intervention in such decisions is fairly rare.


Haaretz

A very small chance of being successful, according to legal experts.

[Scurrilous]

2. More fallout:

MK Yahalom mulling measure to depose Arbel from Supreme Court

http://www.maarivenglish.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=8622

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Member of Judges Selecting Committee “shocked by her handling of the Greek island affair case”. MK Ardan calls on committee to re-examine her appointment. MQG files suit with High Court against Mazuz.

"The decision rendered by Attorney General Meni Mazuz on Tuesday to close the case against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon over the case of the Greek Island affair prompted harsh criticism against former State Prosecutor Edna Arbel who recommended to charge Sharon and prepared the indictment draft.

MK Shaul Yahalom (NRP), a member of the Judges Selecting Committee, is also considering turning to Justice Minister Yossef Lapid and the President of the Supreme Court Aharon Barak in order to reconvene the committee to discuss a possible deposition of Arbel from the Supreme Court. Yahalom told NRG Maariv, “I repeatedly warned that she marks targets, she did so with Ya’akov Ne’eman and now with Sharon as well. I was shocked by her handling of the Greek island affair case”.

Likud MK Gilad Ardan called on the Judges Selecting Committee to re-examine Arbel’s appointment to the Supreme Court because of Arbel’s “repeated failures and mistaken judgments”. According to Ardan, “Arbel’s tenure in the Supreme Court could undermine the public’s trust in the institution”.

Officials close to the prime minister also indirectly criticized Arbel. There are officials in the State Prosecutor’s Office that need to reflect on their decisions, they said."