Ex-PM nears political return

Former Israeli leader Ehud Olmert has received a fine and a suspended jail term in a corruption scandal, clearing a major hurdle in a possible return to politics.

A Jerusalem court fined him about €14,000 and a one-year suspended sentence for his breach of trust conviction.

He was not given community service.

By avoiding stiffer penalties, Olmert is eligible to run for parliament, but he remains barred from serving in the cabinet while he faces another corruption trial.

Olmert was convicted in July of breach of trust for helping allocate government contracts to a friend’s contacts.

He was acquitted of more serious corruption charges that forced him to resign three years ago.