Charges sought for Israeli PM Olmert

JERUSALEM, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Israeli police said Sunday they're recommending corruption charges against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the so-called Talansky Affair.

Police issued a formal statement Sunday evening in which they also recommended the state indict Olmert in a second case, referred to as the 'Rishon Tours' affair, but said there was insufficient evidence to bring charges in the Investment Center scandal, the Israeli Web site Ynetnews.com reported.

The ultimate decision to indict Olmert now rests with Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, the Web site said. Olmert's attorneys reportedly responded to the police's recommendation by saying the decision was "meaningless."

Top police investigators have been holding consecutive sessions on the matter since last Thursday, the Web site said.

Olmert spokesman Amir Dan said earlier in the day the prime minister's legal team "would not be surprised by the police's decision. They have no choice but to recommend an indictment -- they have to justify bringing down an acting prime minister," he said.

The police recommendation comes 18 months after officials first determined there was sufficient evidence to launch a criminal investigation into Olmert's financial dealings.