JERUSALEM, March 28 (UPI) -- State Attorney Edna Arbel Sunday reportedly recommended that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon be charged with accepting bribery.
A Justice Ministry official would only confirm "a draft charge sheet" was presented to Attorney General Menahem Mazzuz. Mazzuz is expected to decide within a month or two.
Arbel's recommendation follows charges filed against building entrepreneur David Appel, in what became known as "The Greek Island Affair."
Appel wanted to build a resort on a Greek island, failed to get Greek permission, and sought the help of Sharon who was then foreign minister. Appel paid Sharon's son hundreds of thousands of dollars for "work" and promised millions more if the deal goes through.
The law says a prime minister must resign if convicted, but the High Court of Justice has ruled that a minister cannot stay in office if faced with criminal charges. Thus Sharon would face pressures to step down, or suspend himself before a trial.
Minister Joseph Paritzky of the Shinui party said they would demand Sharon's resignation if a charge sheet is presented, and threatened to quit unless Sharon complies. "This possibility seems much closer, today," Paritzky added.
