Sharon to face corruption probe

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will be questioned by police later this week in connection with two corruption probes, it was reported today.

The reports said police would question Sharon about allegations that he obtained an illegal loan during his 1999 primary election campaign – possibly in exchange for financial favours – and that he was bribed by an Israeli businessman to promote a property development project in Greece while serving as foreign minister in the 1990s.

Israel police spokesman Ofer Sivan declined comment on when police would question Sharon.

Israel TV’s Channel Two said Sharon would be questioned Wednesday and Thursday. The Haaretz newspaper said Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein gave permission for two squads of officers to question the prime minister.

Sharon would be the third sitting Israeli prime minister to be questioned by police. Earlier corruption inquiries against Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak were eventually dropped.