Israeli attorney general indicts Sharon's son on corruption charges

Israeli Attorney General Meni Mazuz announced Tuesday evening that he has filed an indictment against Omri Sharon, son of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, for corruption charges, the Army Radio reported.

Omri, 41, was indicted on allegedly violating campaign finance laws, forging corporate documents, breach of trust and lying under oath, charges that carry a maximum prison sentence of five years, said the radio.

He was also charged over the alleged laundering of illegal campaign contributions used to fund his father's bid for the leadership of the Likud party in 1999, in which he raised some 1.5 million dollars through shell companies.

The attorney general's decision was made after parliament voted to authorise the prosecution of lawmakers without following the normal practice of lifting their parliamentary immunity, opening the way for corruption proceedings against Omri and left Mazuz free to press charges.

After Mazuz's decision, Omri, who is a Knesset (parliament) member, had informed Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin that he was lifting his parliamentary immunity.

Source: Xinhua