Sharon bribery case 'to be dropped'

Israel’s attorney general is about to drop a bribery case against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israeli TV stations reported tonight.

The case concerns a failed property deal. Businessman David Appel has been charged with bribing Sharon and one of his sons over a project to turn a Greek island into a tourism centre, but in order to convict Sharon of receiving a bribe, criminal intent would have to be proved on his part.

An indictment would probably force Sharon from office, at least temporarily.

Channel Two and Channel 10 opened their newscasts tonight with a report that Attorney General Meni Mazuz concluded that there was not enough evidence to indict Sharon, and he would announce by June 15 that the case was closed.

Responding to the reports, Justice Ministry spokesman Jacob Galanti said “discussions on the case are continuing, no decision has been made and when we make a decision, we will announce it.”

Sharon also faces the possibility of charges in another case – a questionable loan from a South African based British businessman to cover illegal campaign contributions in a 1999 election race.