Sharon investigated over £1m bribe - report

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, whose Likud party has been hurt in the polls by corruption charges, is being investigated over an alleged £1m (€1.54m) bribe, it was reported today.

The Haaretz newspaper, citing a document obtained from Israel’s Justice Ministry, said Sharon and his son Gilad are suspected of receiving bribes, committing breach of trust and fraud and deceiving the police and Israel’s state comptroller.

The report came just three weeks before Israel’s general election. Sharon remains the front-runner, but Likud has lost about a quarter of its support in the polls amid allegations of vote-buying, bribery and organised crime involvement in last month’s party primary.

Today’s report in Haaretz marked the first time in the election campaign that Sharon himself has been linked to possible wrongdoing.

Sharon’s office had no immediate comment but several of his advisers were to hold a news conference later today.

Haaretz quoted a Sharon aide as saying the premier was not engaged in wrongdoing.

Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit, a leading Likud member, accused the Israeli media of trying to sabotage Sharon’s campaign.

“It’s amazing that the media, on the eve of elections, suddenly remember all these things and rework them in order to harm the prime minister,” Sheetrit said.

The complicated financial allegations involve £1m (€1.54m) a South African man, Cyril Kern, transferred to Sharon’s sons, Gilad and Omri, a year ago.

Omri Sharon, who is now a parliamentary candidate, had been in charge of Sharon’s campaign financing and raised large sums of money outside Israel through a front company.

Foreign campaign contributions are illegal in Israel.

Haaretz said police has opened an investigation into the money transfer, and that Israel’s Justice Ministry has asked authorities in South Africa for help.

Kern said in Cape Town: “I don’t want to be involved in Israeli politics whatsoever. I don’t want to be involved.”

Israel Radio said Kern was a long-time friend of Sharon’s.